NEARLY 30 jobs will be axed at Ingleton Middle School if the council confirms a proposal to shut it later this month.

Former school governor Janice Howson revealed North Yorkshire County Council’s human resources team had visited staff to tell them their jobs were under review.

The council proposes closing Ingleton Middle School in September 2012 as part of plans to scrap Craven’s three-tier education system.

After a four-month consultation period, the executive will make the final decision on February 22.

Mrs Howson, who resigned as school governor so she could speak exclusively to the Westmorland Gazette, said: “All the staff have been told they’re now in a review period over their jobs.

"I feel very sorry for all the teachers and school staff, it’s shocking news.”

Around 40 jobs are also expected to go at Settle Middle School, which has been part of the same consultation.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire County Council said: “We cannot comment on potential redundancies since that will depend on the staffing structure that would be determined by the newly enlarged Settle College – and that is some way off, since as yet no decision has been taken to close the middle schools.”

Mrs Howson said staff had had no assurance they would be re-employed within North Yorkshire County Council if they lost their jobs and they feared they would struggle to find a job in the current economic climate.

“They have been advised to look for other jobs now because the decision seems pretty certain,” she said.

The school for 10 to 13 year olds has 28 staff on the council’s payroll.

Parent campaigner Vicky Sawyer fears it is unlikely Ingleton teaching staff would be redeployed to Settle College which is earmarked for redevelopment.

“I’d be very surprised if new jobs are created at Settle College for Ingleton staff considering they’ve said they need to make staffing changes,” she said.

A council spokeswoman said: “Should closure take place there will be a detailed implementation phase which will include development opportunities for staff that may need to teach an age range with which they are unfamiliar.”