THE decision on a massive schools shake-up has been delayed until the new year following an “overwhelming” public response.

Kirklees Council’s Cabinet member for schools Clr Jim Dodds announced yesterday that the £200m plan, which could see 11 schools close, would now be looked at “line-by-line”.

Last month Clr Dodds outlined plans for schools in Mirfield, Dewsbury, Batley and other towns in north Kirklees.

Consultation – involving parents, teachers, governors, councillors, trades unions and MPs – began on September 17 and will continue until November 7.

The results were due to go to the council’s Cabinet in December, but Clr Dodds announced yesterday that this has been put back to the end of January next year – and it could be even later than that.

“This is the biggest consultation the council has ever carried out,’’ he said. “This decision will effect the futures of our young people and education in the area for generations to come.

“I have been immensely impressed and overwhelmed at the extent of public interest on this very important and complex issue.

“It is essential we devote whatever time is necessary to ensure we look at every single aspect of the proposals.

“We have already received a huge amount of responses and we are little over half-way through the consultation period. I am expecting many more responses to come – and I welcome that.

“For that reason I will not be taking this issue to Cabinet on December 17 as originally planned.

“Given the extent of interest so far, I want to take much more time to look at all the issues and do a line-by-line analysis of all the responses we receive.

“I have scheduled for the consultation report to go to Cabinet on January 28, but if I think we need even more time to consider all the issues concerned I will not be rushed and it may slip into February.”

The Conservative plans would see Castle Hall School in Mirfield closing by August 2013 with pupils transferring to an extended Mirfield Free Grammar.

Birkdale and Westborough high schools in Dewsbury would also shut to be replaced by a new academy for north Kirklees.

Batley Girls’ High School, Visual Arts College and Batley Business and Enterprise College would close to make way for a co-educational centre for 11 to 16-year-olds.

Five middle schools – Birkenshaw, RM Grylls in Liversedge, Gomersal CE and West End and Whitechapel in Cleckheaton – would also shut as Kirklees plans to return to a two-tier system.

A teaching union earlier yesterday condemned the plans as “fundamentally flawed.”

Kirklees National Union of Teachers said the proposals were a missed opportunity to ensure every child had a good local school.

The union discussed the controversial subject at a recent committee meeting and concerns were raised about the loss of community schools and their replacement by trusts, foundation schools and academies.

The NUT claimed that the schools would not be accountable to their local communities.

The meeting unanimously passed a resolution stating that the Kirklees’ Brighter Futures document is fundamentally flawed and a missed opportunity to ensure every child has a good local school.

It says the local authority would become a “commissioner” of services rather than the provider.

Kirklees NUT General Secretary Howard Roberts said: “We call on the local authority to have a root and branch rethink of the proposals, based on need and community cohesion and not subject to short term political interference.”

Kirklees Council’s Conservative-run Cabinet last month announced a radical shake-up of schools in Mirfield, Dewsbury, Batley and other parts of north Kirklees.

Parents and teachers are being consulted on the £200m plan which would see 11 schools close.

Plans for Huddersfield schools should be announced late next year.

The NUT nationally is currently balloting members on industrial action – including strikes – in connection with pay. The ballot is due to close on November 3.