A HEADTEACHER has criticised plans to make Darlington school governors sign contracts promising they will back council policy.

Trevor Drury, head of Hurworth Primary School, near Darlington, believes the proposals will put people off becoming governors.

He says governors should be independent and not have to worry about education policy.

Darlington Borough Council wants governors to sign a contract indicating they will represent the authority's policies.

The move has been attacked by opposition councillors who are concerned it will lead to supporters of the council being appointed as governors.

Mr Drury said: "Governors work very hard and give up their own time to do the job, but this will just drive people away from it. They will not be able to represent a school fairly if they have to worry about another agenda."

The council's lifelong learning scrutiny committee has called-n the proposal for further explanation.

The Labour-run council says it is aimed at attracting top calibre governors who will have better understanding of the education issues in Darlington.

But opposition councillors believe it will lead to cronyism, with people who will not back council policy being barred from becoming governors.