Plans to scrap middle schools in north Bedfordshire could be revived as part of the impending shake-up of local government.

Next year Bedfordshire County Council will be abolished, with its powers taken over by Bedford Borough Council in the north of the county and by a new Central Bedfordshire authority elsewhere.

And in an exclusive interview with the Times & Citizen, the borough council's chief executive Shaun Field said his authority would look at changing the schools system.

He said: "Obviously it would appear, and only appear, that there is a relationship between Bedfordshire having a different schools system to most of the country and the performance of our children.

"If we want to improve we have to look at this, and we would want the system to be the same throughout north Bedfordshire.

"But before we took the decision we would need to look at all the evidence."

Last Monday Mr Field chaired a meeting of headteachers at Bedford International Athletic Stadium, where the topic was discussed.

Children across the county currently attend lower school from age five to nine, middle school from nine to 13, and upper school from 13 to 16.

But Bedfordshire and the Isle of Wight are the only education authorities to still run this three-tier system, with pupils living in the rest of the country only attending two schools – from age five to 11, and 11 to 16. That has been used as an explanation for why Bedfordshire's performance at Key Stage 4 – GCSE – is below the national average.

Two years ago Tory leaders at Bedfordshire County Council attempted to switch to the two-tier system, only to be thwarted by a rebellion of rank-and-file Conservative councillors. But that council itself will now be abolished in 2009.

Mr Field said: "Last week's meeting was the first in a series we will hold with headteachers to talk about our vision for improving Key Stage 4 results in Bedford. It was about getting a clear route to get that right.

"Good things are happening in Bedfordshire's schools. And we have to work with the schools to improve education.

"I firmly believe there has to be improvements in Key Stage 4 results. That is the fundamental concern, because GCSE results are what get students to go on to do A-levels, go to university and get good jobs.

"Our children must not be let down by the education system. There are a lot of talented students and a lot of talented teachers in Bedfordshire and we need to harness that."