FOUR primary schools could be turned into two under a new council proposal.

Durham County Council has drawn up plans to amalgamate Bowes Hutchinson and Startforth Morritt Church of England Primary Schools in Bowes and Barnard Castle together with Sherburn Village and Sherburn Hill Primary Schools, on the outskirts of Durham.

The authority said, if the mergers are agreed, the changes will take place from September 1 this year but all sites will stay in use so children can be educated on their home site.

Bowes Hutchinson’s CE (Aided) Primary School and Startforth Morritt Memorial CE (Controlled) Primary School are around four miles apart.

Pre-school provision at both schools would be maintained if the plans are given the go-ahead, the authority states.

Both are very small and education chiefs hope that combining the two, with a joint capacity of 182 pupils, will make the larger school more viable.

They stress there are no plans to close either building and, should proposals be approved, the new school would operate on a split site to ensure education provision is maintained in each community.

Councillor Ossie Johnson, portfolio holder for children and young people’s services, said: “We would encourage parents and any members of the affected local communities to get in touch and let us have their thoughts on these consultations.”

Sherburn Village and Sherburn Hill are currently two separate schools but since 2010 they have been federated with one governing body and one headteacher.

The buildings are just over a mile apart and if they are amalgamated the plan is to make use of the accommodation on both sites to enhance curriculum provision.

The new school would have a combined capacity of 308 pupils.

Public consultation is about to start with events planned at Startforth on Tuesday, March 10, 5.30pm; Sherburn Village, Wednesday, March 11, 6pm; Sherburn Hill on Thursday, March 12, 9.30am, and Bowes Hutchinson’s on Wednesday, March 18, 5.30pm.

For a response form or for details contact Adam Williams, School Places and Admissions Team, Children and Adults Services, Business Reply Service, Licence No DU63 (Freepost), Durham County Council, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5BR.

Alternatively email schoolorganisation@durham.gov.uk or complete the response form online via the current consultation section at durham.gov.uk