A SCHOOL building in which pupils will be taught for the final time next term is due to be demolished ahead of schedule to curb potential vandalism.

Council officials want to demolish Eastbourne School, in the Hundens Park area of Darlington, once pupils move to the new academy building ready for the 2009-10 school year.

They have considered a number of options for the future of the current building including retaining it, a refurbishment of partial demolition.

However, officers have recommended to the council's leading cabinet group that the whole building, except for a youth centre, should be demolished.

A report prepared for the cabinet meeting said: "In anticipation of the planned vacation, a number of options open to the council have been considered internally.

"Based on the council's previous experience with vacant school buildings and having regard to the current economic conditions, the best option for the council is the early demolition of the whole school excluding the youth centre building and clearance of the site."

The report added that because the site is likely to remain undeveloped for a number of years, the floor, foundations and hard courts would be soiled over and seeded.

Demolition of the site is expected to cost £400,000 with an additional £2,000 required each year to maintain the land.

One of the most recent schools to be knocked down and attract trouble was the former Springfield Primary School. Residents complained that it attracted anti-social behaviour until it was knocked down two months after it was closed.

Discussions are ongoing regarding playing fields at the academy because the new building will be built on the current pitches.

A number of sites are being discussed with Sport England and also take into account new fields needed for Darlington College. A further report is expected to be submitted to the cabinet later this year.

The academy is due to move into its £15m purpose-built new home in September as a result of a long and often controversial project.

The building is being funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the project overseen by the council. The academy sponsors are the Church of England and Crosslands PLC.