PROPOSALS to join a struggling college with a nearby successful secondary school has won the backing of senior councillors.

Sunnydale Community College in Shildon, which was heavily criticised by Ofsted, will close on December 31 and re-open on New Year's Day as part of Greenfield Community College, Newton Aycliffe.

Greenfield, a specialist science and arts college which already shares a governing body with Sunnydale, received a good Ofsted rating in 2012 and its GCSE results are above the national average.

The proposals were agreed at a meeting of Durham County Council's cabinet today (Wednesday, November 19) although a final decision rests with the full council.

Rachael Shimmin, corporate director of the council's children and adult services, said: “We believe that this will be a positive move and that it will enhance education in Shildon and that it will create a viable solution.”

“Sunnydale college and the governors had to take swift and effective action to remedy the situation and the council has capital in place to ease with this integration."

David Priestley, headteacher of Greenfield, will become executive headteacher of both sites which will cater for a total of 1,100 students aged 11 to 16-years-old.

There are no proposals to close either site, which are two miles apart. Staff will be required to teach at both and some pupils may have to attend lessons at either location.

It is hoped the move will raise educational standards by improving resources, extending the curriculum and creating more opportunities for students.

County councillor Brian Stephens, who represents Shildon, said: “We all know the importance of a good education.

“This allows all of the pupils to attend a great school so that they can gain a good education.”

A public consultation held in July showed strong support for the move after Sunnydale, a specialist maths and computing school, was judged inadequate and to have serious weaknesses following an Ofsted inspection earlier this year.

Its most recent GCSE results fell below the national average and despite having space for 954 pupils, only 400 are being taught there.

County councillor Ossie Johnson, who represents Lanchester, added: “It’s unacceptable that some pupils are attending a school that has been judged to be inadequate.”