DARLINGTON'S first academy school last night officially launched plans to expand into primary education within two years.

St Aidan's Church of England Academy is staging a consultation exercise relating to its proposals, which could see its first primary-age pupils admitted in September 2013.

The plans, drafted by senior staff and governors, are to open two purpose-built satellite schools within the grounds of the academy, which moved to its present site in Hundens Lane two years ago.

The two schools will each take a maximum of 35 pupils across age ranges from reception to year six, with five in each year group.

There are expected to be two teachers and one teaching assistant at each of the satellites, with teaching based on "vertically integrated" groups teaching by "stage rather than age".

Alison Appleyard, academy principal, said: "We are keen to offer the academy's distinctive offering of an education and support system built upon care, respect and responsibility, underpinned by a strong Christian ethos of valuing everyone equally to younger siblings of current students and other children of families in the local area.

"We have been very successful in doing this since the academy was created in 2007 and now want to extend our reach into the primary age range."

Mrs Appleyard said Darlington's schools were near capacity and that new housing developments in Lingfield would expand the nearby population. She added: "The proposed offering will be based on the highly-regarded philosophy of stage not age, and will be built on the success of the family groups that have become the foundation of the academy's pastoral care system and have contributed to the raising of attainment and the broader successes of all its students.

"The family school is already well-established in rural areas.

"There are lots of places which have smaller schools working in a vertical way.

This model will complement the other system in the town."

Letters have been sent to parents, staff, governors and other stakeholders.

Anita Blackburn, vice-principal of Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, said at last night's consultation event that it was a fascinating proposal.

A dedicated Facebook page has been created as part of the consultation. See staidans primarysatellite. org. uk or staidansacademy. org. uk for more details. People can also write to or telephone the school to take part in the consultation.