Talks over merger plan for primary schools

Public meetings on the merging of Trimdon Village Infant and Nursery School, Trimdon Grange Infant and Nursery School and Trimdon Junior School will be held at Trimdon Grange Infant and Nursery School today at 2.30pm and 6pm to update parents and residents on latest developments.

During previous meetings the proposal received mixed reactions with concerns on education standards, traffic congestion and job losses.

However, Durham County Council believe the plans will lead to a long-term sustainable future as changes to the way schools are funded could impact on small schools.

Concerns on education standards are due to current Ofsted results judging Trimdon Grange Infant and Nursery School as ‘Outstanding’ and Trimdon Village Infant and Nursery School and Trimdon Junior School as ‘Good’.

If the proposal goes ahead the age range of Trimdon Grange Infant and Nursery School will change from three to seven to three to 11 from September 1 and Trimdon Village Infant and Nursery School and Trimdon Junior School will be closed as separate schools on August 31.

Plans will see the three schools merge into one primary school across the sites of Trimdon Grange Infant and Nursery School and Trimdon Junior School.

Any further public responses on the merger are needed before February 11.