CHILDREN and staff at a Darlington school have been angered by plans to make it part of a £20m super school.

The community at Eastbourne Comprehensive is said to feel "unappreciated" after the borough council announced plans for it to be taken over by Hurworth School.

A new school would be built on a new site at the top of Yarm Road.

And a senior teacher at Eastbourne said staff morale was low, hinting at fears that pupils could eventually be taught by agency teachers.

Campaigners opposing the move are waiting to see when Prime Minister Tony Blair will be meeting council leader John Williams to discuss the issue.

As Hurworth is in Mr Blair's Sedgefield constituency, an action group is calling for him to step in to save the thriving school.

Coun Veronica Copeland, chairman of Eastbourne's governors, said they welcomed the proposal that had "come out of the blue" but were concerned that only the jobs of Hurworth staff had been secured.

"We value the federation we had with Hurworth. It helped us to get out of special measures," said Coun Copeland.

"But the pupils and staff have been quite hurt by the way they have been portrayed. It's not just been one-way traffic.

"The Eastbourne staff have been able to show Hurworth how to handle difficult pupils. Our staff work really hard to give those pupils a good start in life.

"We want more favourable consideration given to the feelings and the quality of Eastbourne staff and pupils."

She said the governors understood and sympathised with parents in Hurworth, but that they would like to see Hurworth's expertise available to more pupils.

"We would be pleased with a new school because Eastbourne has the oldest secondary buildings in the town," she said.

"The parents value the education we have here just as much as Hurworth.

"We appreciate the strong feelings in Hurworth. If it goes through, the pupils have got to get on and work together. We don't want any animosity."

Eastbourne teacher Terry Bladen, Darlington secretary of the NASUWT union, said he was meeting with council officials today and that he had written to Coun Chris McEwan, Cabinet member for children's services.

"Morale is not good. The authority needs to let staff know they are valued," he said.

"Staff are already looking to leave and new staff won't apply if there are no opportunities at the new school. The kids will then be taught by agency staff."

Earlier this week, Hurworth campaigners criticised the Prime Minister, and Alan Milburn, who has Eastbourne School in his Darlington constituency.

Mr Blair's office turned down a request from the campaigners - who formed an action committee on Wednesday night - for a face-to-face meeting.

No date has been set yet for a meeting between Mr Blair council leader Coun John Williams.

Acting press officer for the action group, Ian Holme, said: "The hands-off approach of both Mr Blair and Mr Milburn will do nothing to reduce the resolve of concerned parents and residents."

A spokesman for Mr Blair stressed that he was aware of the strength of feeling surrounding the issue.

* Letters to the Editor: page 19

l Leading article: page 18