CAMPAIGNERS fighting against rural school closures say common sense has prevailed after plans to close them were scrapped.

Forest-of-Teesdale School, in Teesdale, and Rookhope Primary School, in Weardale, had been threatened with closure by Durham County Council which it said was due to falling pupil numbers.

The council also considered merging Wearhead and St John’s Chapel Primary Schools in a move to “safeguard” the future of the small schools estate.

However, an alternative solution has now been found by allowing Forest, Rookhope and St John’s Chapel Primary Schools to share a headteacher. 

Wearhead Primary School, which was due to be included in the consultation, will remain unaffected.

Cllr Ossie Johnson, the council’s cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “After extensive discussions with these communities we have decided that the best way forward is to bring Forest-of -Teesdale, Rookhope, and St John’s Chapel Primary Schools together, with a shared headteacher.

“That will maintain what we have, with around 50 children across the three sites, and means we will not have to consult on the closure of any schools in this area at this time.”

Ian Carroll, who is currently headteacher at both Forest and Rookhope Schools, confirmed he will now be headteacher for all three schools from September.

“Closure is off the table,” he said. “It’s fantastic news for the schools in the dales and prolongs the life and educations of schools in the dales and the dales children.”

Mr Carroll said he wanted to thank the whole community for their “fantastic support” and had sent the children home with letters telling parents of the good news.

“It’s quite overwhelming the support we have had and on behalf of all the staff and pupils of those three schools we would like to say a big thank you.”

Both Forest and Rookhope communities launched fierce campaigns to save their schools after documents detailing potential closure plans were leaked to The Northern Echo.

Councillor John Shuttleworth, who represents Weardale joined Councillor Richard Bell and Councillor Ted Henderson, who both represent Teesdale, in the fight.

Both Cllr Shuttleworth and Cllr Henderson said common sense had prevailed while Cllr Bell said the “tremendous news” was a “triumph of team work”.

Ruth Nattrass, who led the Save Rookhope School campaign, added: “I can’t believe it.

“I remember in the beginning I said the decision is probably already made but we have got to try so it’s just so reassuring and what a relief.

“It’s brilliant and it’s great that a little pea on a drum can fight a big establishment.” 

  • Tell us what you think about the decision below.