A TEMPORARY governing body is to be set up to oversee the amalgamation of three Darlington schools.

Earlier this year, it was announced that plans were being drawn up to merge the nursery, infant and junior schools in Corporation Road.

Darlington Borough Council has applied for approval to carry out the amalgamation, which will cater for 160 nursery, 130 primary and 203 junior age children.

Setting up a governing body is essential to ensure staffing and other organisational requirements are in place ahead of the opening of the new school, which will be called Corporation Road Community Primary School.

As the local education authority, the council must appoint three governors.

A meeting of the council cabinet next week will put forward Councillor Eleanor Lister, and two residents for the posts.

The governing body will also include four parents, a teacher, a member of staff and a headteacher if he or she decides to become a governor, plus three co-opted members.