JOBS are to be lost at a Tees Valley school due to falling pupil numbers.

Education managers have declined to say how many jobs will go at Jesmond Road Primary School, in Hartlepool, until negotiations have been completed.

However, an LEA spokesman said the decision was due to falling numbers and not a recent poor Ofsted report.

A statement from the LEA said: "Pupil numbers at Jesmond Road Primary School have fallen and are continuing to fall.

"This demographic trend has had a significant impact on the school's budget and the number of staff required.

"A consultation process began last week, which involved discussions with employees and trade union representatives to consider ways of reducing staff numbers.

"There will inevitably be a need to reduce the number of teaching staff, but the exact figure has yet to be determined by the governing body.

"It is hoped this process will be concluded by the end of August 2005. It must be stressed that these moves to reduce staff numbers are unconnected with the school's recent Ofsted report."

There are about 500 pupils at the Percy Street school.