AN MP has expressed her concerns about the proposals to consult on the closure of a school site.

City of Durham MP Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods was responding to consultation approved by Durham County Council on the closure of the Sherburn Hill Primary School site.

The site, which has 49 pupils, is part of Sherburn Primary School, formed by the merger of Sherburn Hill and Sherburn Village primaries in 2015.

Should the proposals go ahead, pupils in Sherburn Hill will have to travel over a mile to Sherburn Village School.

The MP said: “I have been contacted by a number of parents who are very worried about the future of the school and what this will mean for their children, and I share their concerns.

“I have fought against the closure of the Sherburn Hill school site for many years, and am extremely disappointed that not only has Durham County Council taken the decision to consult on closing this school, but also that parents do not seem to have been kept informed of developments. I will be raising my concerns with the council, and will meet with parents in Sherburn Hill to discuss this matter.

“Once the consultation begins, I would strongly urge local residents to take part and make sure the local authority is aware of their views.”

The council says falling pupil numbers mean there is significant pressure on the school budget, and education on both sites is becoming financially unviable. It also says that because different year groups are being taught together at Sherburn Hill, it is having an impact on results for children.

Phil Hodgson, the council’s interim head of education, said: ”Pupil numbers at the school have decreased with the Sherburn Hill site having only 49 children at present. We believe that bringing all staff and children together on the Sherburn Village site would improve educational outcomes and create a more financially viable school.

“While we initially planned to carry out consultation in September, we agreed to delay the process at the request of the school’s leadership. We’d like to assure everyone that they will be given the chance to have their say before a final decision is made.”