Proposals have been announced for a shared sixth form centre for Washington.
The sixth form, which from September will initially be based at City of Sunderland College's Shiney Row Centre, will be established through a partnership between the college and the town's five secondary schools.
But under plans to eliminate surplus places, the area looks likely to lose one of its five secondary schools.
As part of a shake-up of secondary education in the area, Sunderland City Council proposes to close Usworth Comprehensive School.
During consultations about the reorganisation, staff, parents, teachers, and other interested parties will be asked to comment on the idea, before the school organisation committee makes its decision, in December.
After opening at Shiney Row, the sixth form centre hopes to transfer next year to a purpose-built facility in Washington.
City of Sunderland College has won planning permission for the development at Washington's Princess Anne Park, but campaign group Washington First Forum is fighting to overturn this. It is awaiting the outcome of a recent House of Lords appeal.
Teaching at the sixth form centre will be shared among staff from the schools and the college, and there will be further opportunities for vocational learning.
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