THE entry system at Ermysted's Grammar School, Skipton, could change as part of North Yorkshire County Council cost-cutting.

But concerns have been raised by a school governor that any changes are unwelcome and could put barriers in the way of some children.

"Currently, parents who do not wish their sons to be tested can opt out of the process," said Skipton county councillor Robert Heseltine, who is also a school governor. "The reforms suggest in future, parental choice will only allow pupils to opt in, this is neither satisfactory nor acceptable."

If approved, all children within catchment attempting to get into the school - one of the top performing state schools in the country - will have to sit the selection exam at the school, instead of at their primaries, as currently takes place.

One of the two appeal stages will also be removed - leaving parents of children who narrowly fail to pass the selection exam just one appeal, directly to the school.

Selection exams will be sat on one day on a Saturday in September.

If adopted, the changes will start from next year.

Also proposed is a move to just two sets of actual tests, instead of the current three, which include an unmarked familiarisation test.

The two tests will include one verbal reasoning (VR) test and one non-verbal reasoning (NVR) test, with the two added together to give a final score.

And instead of the familiarisation test, children will be provided with sample test booklets.

The council says the changes will create a "level playing field for all children" and testing in a single venue will save costs and increase efficiency.

The county council, which is consulting until January, with a decision due in February, says the current system is no longer possible in the face of reduced funds.

The proposals, which also involve Ripon Grammar School, another top performing state school, will mean changes to a system used for 14 years and are part of the council's 2020 change programme.

"The cost of administering an overly bureaucratic system of testing is no longer sustainable in the light of very significant cuts in public expenditure," explains the council.

Cllr Heseltine said the selection review was a "direct consequence of the government's austerity measures", which had resulted in a reduction of the county council grant by 40 per cent.

"Some streamlining of the selection process should be possible, but pupils must feel confident and comfortable in the environment in which their academic ability is tested.

"A move to a situation where all have to travel to Skipton on a Saturday and be assessed on one day will, I feel, cause some pupils disruption to the usual routine of school life and surroundings."

Cllr Heseltine added it was vitally important that a "fair and transparent" appeals process remained.

"It is also critical that in simplifying the process, it places no unreasonable barriers to the future academic education provided by Ermysted's Grammar School."

The consultation runs until January 16. To find out more and to comment, go to the North Yorkshire County Council website.