PLANS to create a single primary school for an area of Chester-le-Street have been given the go-ahead.

Durham County Council’s cabinet agreed today (Wednesday, July 16) to the closure of South Pelaw Infant School so that the nearby Chester-le-Street C of E Junior School can cater for pupils right through from four years old to secondary school age from January 1.

The move is broadly supported by parents and other stakeholders.

A statutory notice announcing the shake-up attracted no formal objections or comments.

Durham County Council tries to bring junior and infant schools together where it can because its education officers believe that changes to the rules on Government funding threaten the long-term viability of smaller schools.

Officials also believe that combining infant and junior schools is in the best interests of children and their families and provides continuity and progress of learning.

A report to the committee said: “Stakeholders believe that the proposal will bring about greater continuity, which will benefit pupils and staff who will gain a better understanding of the whole primary age range.

“Stakeholders believe that the proposal will be positive for children and their education.

“Stakeholders believe that the proposal will lead to opportunities for development that benefit outcomes for children.

“Stakeholders believe that the proposal makes sense educationally and can be achieved with little disruption.”

The report said that objectors felt that closure was a cost-saving exercise and that the two schools could work in partnership as separate entities.

Concern was expressed that the proposal was a takeover of South Pelaw Infant by the C of E Junior School.

Cllr Ossie Johnson, the council cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “We believe that creating a primary school to replace the separate infant and junior schools is in the best interests of pupils and their families.

“As well as removing the need for children to change schools halfway through their primary education it will also mean parents only have to apply for one primary school place.

“The changes will also help to safeguard the long-term viability of the school and enhance the educational provision in the community.”

The council’s Labour leader, Simon Henig, said: “I am sure that it is a very positive change.”

His cabinet colleague Lucy Hovvells added that she thought that the new set-up was in the best interests of children and their families.