EDUCATION chiefs are to meet parents and teachers to discuss a proposed shake-up of schools.

Public meetings to discuss the future of four schools, two in Newton Aycliffe and two in Ferryhill, will give people the chance to find out about the proposals and to have their say.

The move comes as part of a county-wide reorganisation of schools to be carried out by Durham County Council to tackle surplus places.

The council is considering amalgamating Woodham Burn Infant School and Woodham Burn Junior School, as one primary school on the site they jointly occupy in Humphrey Close, Newton Aycliffe.

The amalgamation could free up space and enable other services for young people to move into the school, such as the government-sponsored child care scheme SureStart.

In Ferryhill, Dean Road Nursery could be closed and moved to Dean Bank Primary School where there is enough space to accommodate the youngest children.

Other uses for the nursery building would be investigated by Durham County Council. The nursery is half a mile from the main school.

The first public meeting will be in the main hall of Dean Bank Primary School, Ferryhill, on Monday, January 24, at 7pm.

There will also be a meeting at Woodham Burn Junior School, Newton Aycliffe, on Tuesday, January 25, also at 7pm.

A council spokesperson said: "Every education authority in the country needs to carry surplus places to give flexibility but we have many more than we need.

"These outline proposals are part of a five-year strategy we are working on to tackle the problem of too many surplus places in primary schools across the county.

"Between now and the final reorganisation, the schools' governors, staff, parents and local people will be consulted and have the chance to share their views before any final decision is made."

Copies of the detailed consultation documents for each school earmarked for change will be available at the schools, local libraries and through the council's website, www.durham.gov.org.uk