HUNDREDS of people have signed petitions on a controversial schools issue.

Kirklees Council’s Cabinet received a report yesterday on the future of education in Dewsbury and Batley.

As part of the consultation the council received a 1,198-name petition calling for Batley Business and Enterprise College and Batley Girls High to become co-educational.

But 753 people signed another petition calling for the schools to remain single-sex.

The council report notes that most of those supporting single-sex schooling are Asian.

The consultation involved staff and governors throughout north Kirklees as well as 16 public meetings.

It found support for the creation of a sixth form college in the area.

Introducing the report to Cabinet, Clr Andrew Palfreeman highlighted the fact that many children were not being educated in the area.

He said: “There is concern about the 800 pupils who leave Kirklees every day to go to schools in Leeds.”