COUNCILLORS are to discuss plans to merge a school and nursery so that pupils can attend a new multimillion-pound facility.

Proposals to house Ox Close Primary and Oxclose Nursery schools in one primary school at a replacement new building on Durham Road in Spennymoor will be discussed at the virtual meeting next Wednesday.

The new school, which Durham County Council has allocated the necessary funding of £13.1million towards, would be built on the former site of Tudhoe Grange Comprehensive School.

If the proposals are given the go-ahead the site could be built and open to staff and pupils by September 2024.

John Pearce, of Durham County Council, said: “It is the best way of improving education outcomes and easing the pressure on school places in the Spennymoor area.”

Ox Close Primary and Oxclose Nursery schools formed the Ox Close Federation in November 2018.

The Spennymoor area has experienced and continues to experience significant growth through housing developments which is putting pressure on school places across the town.

To respond to this, some of the schools in the area have been expanded in recent years.

Ox Close Primary School was one of those schools, but despite this, without further expansion, it cannot meet the demand for future places.

The most effective solution for Spennymoor to address the pressure on places at Ox Close and across Spennymoor generally is a new build replacement school with an increased capacity.

Mr Pearce said: “This proposal will enhance education provision in the area and lead to a more sustainable establishment for the long term that will bring about educational improvement and will continue to provide equal access for all.”

Ox Close Primary School is judged as ‘Good’ by Ofsted and it was highlighted that teachers and teaching assistants have ensured that children in the early years thrive both academically and socially. Oxclose Nursery School meanwhile was judged as ‘Outstanding’ at its last inspection.

The council’s cabinet is set to meet on April 21 at 9.30am.