THE biggest shake-up of secondary schools seen in a county for a generation was agreed yesterday as councillors backed plans to create three academies.

Six secondary schools in Stanley, Consett and Durham will be closed and replaced by the new-build academies, in a project that could cost £75m.

Durham County Council cabinet approved the scheme after a meeting lasting nearly two hours, during which governors, politicians and teachers’ unions argued for their schools to be saved.

Later, Simon Kennedy, regional organiser for the NASUWT union, described the decision as disappointing and said teachers at Belmont School, in Durham, would be considering strike action.

Councillor Nigel Martin, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group, claimed the scheme had been forced upon the council by the Government.

However, Councillor Claire Vasey, the council’s cabinet member for children and young people’s services, hailed what she called a “massive investment in the education of young people”.

She said the authority had carefully considered the results of a consultation and secured highly effective partnerships with sponsors.

“We are convinced that, with the extra support and input from the lead sponsors, together with the fantastic new buildings and equipment that this investment would bring, we could ensure even better educational opportunities for young people.”

During the meeting, James Cowan, a Belmont resident, said the scheme was “halfbaked”, while Ray Pye, chairman of governors at Belmont School, described it as “disappointing”.

Councillor Owen Temple, a Lib Dem member for Consett North, said no one had told him they wanted an academy in the town.

However, Carl Marshall, a Labour councillor who represents Stanley, gave the project his “wholehearted support”

and Simon Henig, the Labour leader of the council, said he was confident the council had the right partners to move forward.

MPs Hilary Armstrong, Kevan Jones and Roberta Blackman-Woods all support the plans. The academies will be independent state-funded schools, co-sponsored by Durham County Council and an outside body.

Stanley

IN Stanley, the academy will cater for young people aged 11 to 19, be co-sponsored by New College Durham and will replace Stanley School of Technology and Greencroft Business and Enterprise Community School. Plans to close Tanfield School were dropped.

In a council consultation, 88 per cent of people were against an academy.

The governing body of Stanley was against the plans, the governing body at Greencroft suggested Stanley should be turned into a standalone academy, while governors at Tanfield did not want their school to be part of the scheme.

Consett

IN Consett, the academy will cater for young people aged 11 to 19.

It will be co-sponsored by the Durham Excellence in Education Partnership and will be led by Durham University.

The academy will replace Consett Community Sports College and Moorside Community Technology College.

In a council consultation, 51 per cent of people supported an academy.

The governing body of Moorside wanted their school turned into a standalone academy, while governors at Consett supported the council’s proposals.

Durham

IN Durham, the academy will cater for young people aged 11 to 19.

It will probably be based on two sites and be co-sponsored by the Durham Excellence in Education Partnership.

It will be led by Durham University, and will replace Belmont School Community Arts College and Durham Gilesgate Sports College and Sixth Form Centre.

In a council consultation, 82 per cent of people were against an academy.

The governing body at Belmont was against the academy, while governors at Gilesgate “reluctantly accepted” the proposal.