Bosses rethink plans for town education academy

It had been hoped that Eastbourne School, in Darlington, would be replaced by a modern £20m building in Yarm Road.

However, last night it emerged that Darlington Borough Council was now looking to build the academy in Hundens Park - a move which could save it millions of pounds.

Because the Government has changed the way it funds academies, Darlington is now only likely to receive between £16m and £18m to build a new school.

As a result, the council hopes to build the Eastbourne academy next to the existing school.

This means less work will be needed on access and roads - a bill which has to be paid by the local authority. Money can also be saved because pupils can continue to use the sports facilities at Eastbourne Sports Complex.

Margaret Asquith, the borough council's director of children's services, said: "We would much rather have built the academy under the old scheme where the Government would pay for what we designed.

"However, it has changed and now we need to design the school to a budget.

"It's too early to say whether the council will have to pay any extra money."

Mrs Asquith said the local authority would be responsible for the design and making sure the building came in under budget.

In a letter sent to Eastbourne parents last night, Mrs Asquith said there were three possible sites for the academy - Tommy Crooks Park (the site originally earmarked), the site of the current school and Hundens Park, which is the preferred option.

The academy will be sponsored by the Church of England and David and Anne Crossland, founders of travel company Airtours.

It is possible that Eastbourne could become an academy in September next year.

Information meetings will take place on January 10, at 6pm, at Eastbourne School, on January 16, at 6.30pm at Heathfield Primary School, and on January 17, at 6pm at Dodmire Junior School.

A public consultation will start at the end of next month.