No reprieve for closure school

Mr McDermid has spoken of his "shock" at the decision

Teachers and pupils returned to a Wearside school for the start of a new term, to be told it is to close because it cannot attract enough students.

Usworth Comprehensive in Washington, Tyne and Wear, currently has 42% of its desks empty.

Sunderland City Council has now decided to close the site, despite a prolonged campaign to keep it open, which attracted a 7,500-name petition.

The school's 600 pupils will have to travel either to Washington Comprehensive School or Oxclose school, several miles away.

Sunderland City Council education spokesman David Staples, said: "We have an enormous number of surplus places in the Washington area.

"The school has seen a declining roll for some time.

"From an early stage in the consultation process it was seen that Usworth was the smallest school in the area.

"If allowed to continue, the school would soon have been no longer viable."

Headteacher Kevin McDermid said: "We believe that the strength of opposition from the surrounding community was huge.

"Everyone was against the proposal."