Schools merger plan set for vote

A plan to merge two schools is to be voted on by councillors.

The proposal would see Horndale County Infant and Nursery School and neighbouring St Francis Church of England Aided Junior School, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, combined to make a new primary school for children aged three to 11 from September.

Durham County Council said pupil numbers at the infant school had been "declining in recent years" while the junior school had surplus spaces.

The authority's cabinet will be asked to approve the proposals at County Hall, in Durham, next Wednesday.

Amalgamating the two would "help to sustain both schools by ensuring sufficient pupil numbers" and the plan has been "widely supported by staff, governors and parents", according to the council.

Councillor Ted Henderson, cabinet member for children and young people's services, said pupil numbers were expected to continue to fall at Horndale "even when considering planned housing developments", leading to further financial pressures.

"Horndale and St Francis schools already enjoy strong links," he added.

"By amalgamating them, we can relieve financial pressure and allow both schools to build upon the excellent work already under way and create even more opportunities for the children."

A public consultation was carried out in September and October with 90% of people who took part agreeing or strongly agreeing with the proposal, the council said, while 6% neither agreed nor disagreed.

A statutory notice to amalgamate the schools was published on 4 November with no further representations received during the following four weeks.

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