CONCERNS have been raised over school reorganisation plans to move pupils between sites in villages more than five miles apart.

After the summer holidays, all students, at The Durham Federation, which consists of two separate secondary schools, studying for academic courses will be based at Durham Community Business College in Ushaw Moor.

Fyndoune Community College, in Sacriston, will accommodate those studying for vocational qualifications such as hospitality, catering and hair and beauty as well as youngsters who require an alternative curriculum and additional educational support.

Parents have expressed concerns about the plans and a meeting was due to be held in Sacriston WMC on Wednesday night.

One father, who has two children at Fyndoune Community College, said: “People are up in arms about this.

“We picked this school for our children because we live in the village and this was our first choice as they can walk to school.”

A letter has been sent to parents to inform them there will be free bus travel for children currently attending school in Sacriston.

Parents have said there has not been any consultation about the changes.

The man said: “The rumour is that the free travel will be for a year then it will be £50 a month.

“We have been kept in the dark and there has been a lot of secrecy surrounding this.”

The changes will mean pupils who have to travel on public transport will have their school day extended and be further away from home.

Alison Jobling, headteacher at The Durham Federation, said: “These changes will help us provide students with the highest quality teaching and learning and enable them to secure the skills and qualifications needed to access their aspirational goals of the future.

“Not all students learn in the same way and providing alternative curriculum options aims to ensure that every young person who studies with us receives the support they need to go on and achieve great things.”

Work is already underway at both sites and includes building a new catering and dining facility, an auditorium and a creative arts centre, along with the development of ‘Home Hubs’ for all year groups and a specialist nurture centre in Sacriston.

Julien Kramer, interim head of education and skills at Durham County Council, said: “This is a remarkable development which transforms the learning opportunities across the school at both sites and for the communities which they serve.”