THE head of education for Durham County Council has taken up an offer to meet with governors of a closure-threatened school.

Caroline O'Neill met with Forest of Teesdale School governors to answer their questions about the proposals which would see the upper Teesdale school close in September if approved.

Chair of governors, Judith Tarn, said Ms O’Neill met with them to “discuss further, the inaccurate proposal to close the school, leading to the governors challenging this.

“Ms O'Neill said that Durham County Council has no desire to close the school, but declined to stop the closure consultation process at the meeting, insisting falling roll numbers and changes to the way schools will be funded have caused the Education Department to look closely at small schools situations within County Durham.”

Mrs Tarn said the governors are now preparing a document for the Director of Children's and Adult Services, and the Corporate Management Team to discuss options and opportunities further.

A meeting will be held at the school on March 22, at 5.30pm to give the community further updates on the current position.

To sign a petition to support Forest-of-Teesdale visit change.org

Mrs O’Neill was unavailable for comment when contacted by The Northern Echo.