Clr Cooper said he had “absolutely no doubt” that a Parish Poll would lead to a resounding thumbs down for Mr McNally’s plan.

He said: “Mr McNally can drop the proposal, if you like, ‘smell the coffee’, or we really can put it to a democratic vote.”

Clr Cooper said the little known piece of legislation would cost the parish council about £15,000 and would be administered by Kirklees Council’s electoral services.

Meanwhile, parents turned out in their droves to showcase events by the two schools at risk of closure if Shelley College’s proposal went ahead.

Hundreds of people attended Kirkburton and Scissett middle schools’ open evenings, to learn about the schools.

MIDDLE school heads have given a cautious welcome to news that the Shelley College expansion is likely to be scrapped.

Kirkburton Middle School head teacher Gary Johnson said they would not celebrate until the proposal was formally axed by Shelley College’s governors.

He said: “We’re really thankful that Simon Reevell has been so vigilant at looking into all the issues in the Shelley Pyramid.

“We thank him for responding so speedily to the parish council meeting on Thursday evening.

“But as far as we’re concerned people should still respond to the consultation.

“Until the governors meet and pull the plug on everything we won’t be breathing a sigh of relief.

“We’re still sending out our response document to the proposal.”

Mr Johnson said Shelley College governors “couldn’t have got it more wrong.”

He said: “We think it was ill-conceived from the start.

“He got the figures wrong and the feelings of the community wrong.”

Scissett Middle School head teacher Helen Baxter also refused to drop her guard.

She said: “I’m very pleased that Simon has listened to the views of the community and taken on board the feelings in the parish for a three tier system.

“It’s a really positive move in the right direction but it’s not over as far as we’re concerned as John McNally and governors can still go ahead with the proposal.”

Mrs Baxter said she would welcome the end of the wrangle and would happily work with Mr McNally in the Shelley Pyramid system.

She added: “If this is over it will mean going back to doing what we love and what we’re paid to do, running outstanding schools and doing what matters.

“What we do in this pyramid is work together and hopefully Mr McNally will realise that now.”

Kirklees Council leader Clr Mehboob Khan said: “I would expect the Shelley College governors to accept Mr McNally’s proposal and then it is time to start to rebuild relationships which have become strained over the last few weeks, pitching school against school.

“Everyone needs to work together to rebuild the pyramid.’’