By Martin Walker
Two schools looking to strengthen their partnership by joining forces insist they’re not merging.
Plans have been unveiled to combine Greenfield Community College and Sunnydale College, in Shildon, to save money and provide a wider curriculum.
Durham County Council is looking at disbanding the schools’ governing bodies to create one joint group of 16 members.
It could mean staff could teach at both sites, and pupils could have lessons at either school – but they insist it is not a merger.
Sunnydale and Greenfield, which combined would have 1,100 pupils, would retain their own identities and operate separate budgets.
Greenfield head David Priestley said: “We think it is an opportunity to support each other, while providing the best support for children.
“We already support each other on a range of issues, and this is the logical next step.”
Mel Mason, the manager of Sunnydale’s administrative service, said: “By combining the two schools, it has several benefits.
“We can save money and share resources and offer a wider curriculum, but this is not a full-scale merger.”
Peter Berg, chairman of governers at Greenfield, said: “It will be good to secure an exciting future through closer ties with Sunnydale.
“This will extend opportunities for our students and allow even greater personalisation and choice.”
Lesley Wiloson, chairman of governers at Sunnydale, said: “As specialist colleges, we will be able to offer the broadest possible range of subject choices for our students.”
County Councillors Mike Dixon, of Aycliffe West, and Gary Huntington, of Shildon West, both support the project.
Public consultation into the plan will run until August 17.