A WIDE-ranging review could lead to a shake-up of post-16 education and training in County Durham.

Levels of participation and achievement in education after school-leaving age are traditionally lower than the national average.

Provision by schools, colleges and training providers is being examined to see how it could be better co-ordinated to encourage more youngsters to stay in education.

It could lead to new institutions being created and greater collaboration between schools and colleges.

Already the heads of schools in East Durham have proposed a new sixth-form centre in Peterlee - an idea that has won support from Durham County Council.

The council, the County Durham Lifelong Learning Partnership and the county's Learning and Skills Council are looking at ways of improving the county's educational record.

The move follows the publication of a report by consultant Jim Donaldson which found there was no overall strategy for post-16 education and training.

The Learning and Skills Council is responsible for planning and funding all such education.

Its executive director, Austin McNamara, said: "There are already rumours that we will close the small sixth-forms and open new sixth-form centres.

"That won't happen unless we get to a point where we consider that that is the best thing for young people in a particular part of the county.''

The review aims to achieve consensus on proposals for future changes in each area of the county.

Overall, the county's rate of participation in full-time education is 63.4 per cent, compared with the national rate of 71.5 per cent.

But within the county, participation ranges from 53.2 per cent in East Durham to 76.2 per cent in Durham City.