A PLANNED shake-up which could see 23 schools being closed has been welcomed by headteachers, according to education officials.

The plan to reshape provision of schools in County Durham over the next 20 years has attracted "great" interest from headteachers, the county council said yesterday.

After launching the outline suggestions in May for what will be the biggest ever schools shake-up in the county, the council gave headteachers until the end of last term to submit initial comments.

While no firm proposals are made in the plan, a wide range of possible measures are offered to ensure the county will have a network of schools of the right size and in the right place, depending on future population forecasts.

Proposed changes include building new schools, the amalgamation, adaptation and modernisation of some schools, as well as 23 possible closures. Despite an outcry, particularly among schools named on the potential closure list, the leader of the county council, Councillor Ken Manton, said that the initial reaction was "encouraging".

"Many headteachers and schools have recognised the plan as a positive vision for the future and see the potential it offers," he said.

The county council's draft programme followed assessment of all 306 primary, secondary and special schools, based on age, physical condition, the quality of education and standards achieved, plus the number of surplus places.

Coun Manton said: "It is important to recognise that there are many possible ways forward, over and above amalgamations, new building and extensive modernisation."

Early feedback will be used in preparation for more detailed draft proposals next month, so planning decisions can be made in October