A PRIMARY school has failed in its bid to have all its pupils attend the same comprehensive school.

Sadberge Primary School asked Darlington Borough Council to change its admissions policy to allow its children to attend Hurworth Comprehensive School, wherever they live in the borough.

The Hurworth school is popular because of its pupils' good examination results, and officials at Sadberge believe they will attract more children if they guarantee they will all get places at Hurworth.

They also believe it would benefit their pupils to know they would not be separated when they left Sadberge.

But Darlington Borough Council has refused to change its admission policy, claiming it would cost too much money.

Under the Associated Transport Criteria, the council must provide transport to school for anyone who needs it so limits are put on the catchment areas of each school.

A council spokesman said that if children from all over the town requested transport to Hurworth it would cost too much.

Other criteria for admission to a school include living within walking distance which would prove impractical for those living outside Sadberge. The spokesman said that primary schools in areas with less popular secondary schools would suffer from a drop in pupils if there was a "free for all" for places.

He said: "Children living in Sadberge and the surrounding area satisfy the Associated Transport Criteria when applying for entrance to Hurworth Comprehensive.

"Other children attending Sadberge school who do not live in the area do not satisfy that criteria."

The spokesman said pupil numbers were falling in all schools in the country because of the decreasing birth rate.

Other schools in Darlington have reduced their admission limits to ensure they do not have spare places as the number of pupils fall.

Haughton Community School, Branksome Comprehensive and Eastbourne Comprehensive have all reduced levels.

Firthmoor Primary School and Alderman Leach Primary School have had their admission limits halved in recent weeks from 90 to 45.

In contrast, admissions at Whinfield Junior School have risen from 80 to 90 after the acquisition of two classrooms.