A claim that supporters of the Northumberland school reforms are motivated by self-interest was attacked by an education chief yesterday.

Trevor Doughty, director of children's services at the county council, criticised the Northumberland Education Action Group (NEAG) for suggesting that many first and high school teachers and heads supported a change to two-tier education because they had a lot to gain from it.

Mr Doughty said: "I think it is unacceptable of NEAG to cast aspersions like this on any teachers. In my experience, the main concern of the vast majority of teachers is whether it will improve education for children.

"A loud minority of NEAG supporters at meetings have already been extremely insulting about first schools.

NEAG is getting into a habit of questioning the motives of anyone who disagrees with them."

Teachers quoted on the new Go2 site - set up by those in favour of a switch to two-tier education - have claimed some feel too intimidated to come out publicly and support the proposals.