Barnard Castle can cope with extra pupils says county supremo after claims they are at "full stretch"

BARNARD Castle’s primary schools will be able to cope with any increase in pupil numbers in the coming years despite claims of classes being at “full stretch”.
Durham County Council’s chief executive Terry Collins told a Barnard Castle Town Council meeting there was “capacity within the system” despite the closure of Startforth Morritt Primary School last year and the proposed construction of hundreds of new homes.
Mr Collins had agreed to take part in a Q&A session at the council, with questions submitted prior to the meeting.
Resident Kelly Blissett raised the issue of the school closure and the impact both it and the construction of new homes was having on schools in Barnard Castle.
“The closure of Startforth primary has led to the current situation of class sizes in Barnard Castle being at full stretch,” she said.
“In fact, the year six pupils of Startforth had to go to Bowes primary.”
She said if an increase in pupil numbers led to the expansion of schools in Barnard Castle, this would be a flagrant misuse of education capital funds, given that Startforth could home up to 112 pupils.
Ms Blissett also highlighted the danger to young children of having to cross the A67 into Barnard Castle to get to school. “The closure of Startforth was in the very least short sighted but could be turned around,” she said.
Mr Collins said the closure of Startforth Morritt Primary School was a done deal.
“That decision has been taken. We are where we are. Those issues were discussed fully by cabinet,” he added.
He then sought to highlight the closure as part of wider issues faced by the county council.
“Generally speaking, there is an awful lot of pressure on the system. Where we are as a council, we have had to make some difficult decisions with regards to budget decisions.
“We have lost 2,500 staff. If a national organisation was to announce 2,500 jobs lost, that would be on the main national news,” he said.
“There would be a task force put in place, but this is what is happening (to councils) all over the country.”
With specific reference to pupil numbers in Barnard Castle, Mr Collins said: “We have got capacity in the system.”
He said pupil numbers at Montalbo Primary School, Barnard Castle, were projected to be 122 in 2017/18; 127 in 2018/19; 130 in 2019/20 and 125 in 2020/21.
At Green Lane Primary, with a capacity of 270, he said projected figures were 227 in 2017/18; 219 in 2018/19; 215 in 2019/20 and 210 in 2202/21.
Cllr Judi Sutherland asked if these figures took into account the possibility of a further 162 houses being built on land next to Deerbolt Young Offenders’ Institution, in Startforth.
Mr Collins confirmed this was the case.
“The figures are all within capacity and these are reviewed annually,” he said.
Cllr Sutherland also raised the issue of children aged five and six being faced with a 25-minute walk to get from Startforth across the river to school.
“These kids should have some transport laid on so they don’t have to do that walk.”
However, Dave Wafer, Durham County Council traffic manager, said the policy was not to provide transport unless pupils lived a minimum of three miles away from school, or the route was deemed unsafe – which was not the case.
However, Cllr Tony Cooke said asking young children to walk across the County Bridge was hazardous.
Ms Blissett added: “It is a really unsafe road.”
Mr Wafer said although a traffic survey had been done, he was happy to discuss the situation further.