CHURCH leaders in the region have welcomed confirmation by the Education Secretary Nicky Morgan that a new church free school has got the go-ahead.

The new school will be known as Wynyard Church of England Primary School.

Rowan Ferguson, assistant director for education in the Diocesan Board of Education in the Diocese of Durham, said: “I am delighted that this project has been approved.

“We worked hard through the late spring and early summer to consult with the communities as part of a planned new housing development in the Wynyard area and to establish the need and support for this new school. The school will be open to all local children from any faith or none at all.

“We will be delighted to welcome this new member of our family of Church of England Schools in the Stockton area of the Diocese of Durham when it opens.”

Archdeacon of Sunderland the Ven Stuart Bain, chairman of the Durham Diocesan Board of Education, said: “The Diocese has been involved in education in the region for more than 150 years, we educate more than 14,000 children through our schools including the 48 church of England Primary Schools in the Diocese. I am very excited that Wynyard Church of England Primary will now be realised and be part of the continuing story of success of our Church Schools serving local communities.”

Applications for the new Wynyard Church of England Primary School will be welcome from all local children. The Diocese also hopes to make nursery places available on the site, which is yet to be announced.

The new school will be operated by the Diocese of Durham, with a governing body that will include representatives from the Church of England, parents and staff as well as others.