SEVERAL high-profile education figures are about to be drafted in to avert a potential crisis at a Darlington school.

Eastbourne Comprehensive, which council chiefs admit has many weaknesses, was rocked this week by the sudden resignation after seven years of headteacher Richard Appleton.

The Northern Echo also understands that five governors have now quit their posts as well, including chairman Ian Haszeldine.

The rapid chain of events has forced the local education authority to take emergency action - and officials have drawn up a list of people who could fill the gaps on the board of governors.

The new-look board is likely to include David Heaton, the principal of the town's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, as chairman.

Other names expected to figure are Eleanor Lister - Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for education, Councillors Geoff Walker and Chris McEwan, as well as Paul Campbell and Gail Bowen, of the education department.

Mr Heaton said last night: "Having been approached by the local authority, I am pleased to be recommended for the post of chair of governors at Eastbourne School.

"If appointed, I look forward to working with other governors to ensure the future success and well-being of the school."

Cabinet members are expected to approve the shake-up at a meeting on Tuesday.

Parents of the 837 pupils at the school were told of Mr Appleton's departure in a school newsletter.

Although his leadership was praised in a recent Ofsted report, inspectors also criticised the lack of funding and shortage of special educational needs support assistants.

Several parents have contacted The Northern Echo in the past week.

They expressed their concerns about the future direction of the school, following the string of resignations.

Feelings ran high at a governors' meeting last Tuesday, when two decided to resign their positions.