FURIOUS parents gathered last night to protest at plans to close a Darlington school.

Parents turned out in force at Rise Carr School to voice their concerns.

They were reacting to news that Darlington Borough Council will issue a statutory closure notice on March 1, which will outline plans to close the school from the end of this academic year.

Pupils would then have to go to nearby North Road or Harrowgate Hill schools.

Parents said closing Rise Carr would unsettle children, and the large class sizes it would create in other schools would hinder their education.

Lesley Ross, a school governor, whose son Connor attends Rise Carr, said the needs of the children were not being put first. She said: "Rise Carr has really been improving recently, and it's getting back to how it used to be. I came to this school, and so did my husband and my mother. If they close it, it will destroy the community."

Headteacher Tony Kemp said the school had to carry on as usual.

"We've been doing a lot of good work here, and the children have really banded together recently to raise money for the tsunami appeal and Macmillan nurses. We've got so many other things arranged for the future, like music tuition, and lunches for grandparents.

"There are so many positive things going on that we can't just sit down and take it."

Paul Campbell, assistant director of client services in the council's education department, said falling school numbers at Rise Carr and lack of playing fields were factors in recommending the closure.

He said: "But this is not a foregone conclusion. There have been schools recommended for closure before, and they are still open years down the line."

The case will be heard by a school organisation committee in April, who will decide on the future of the school.