A DARLINGTON nursery will join two primary schools in a headteacher-sharing partnership.

George Dent Nursery School will partner with Bishopton Redmarshall Academy and Heighington Academy, collectively known as BRandH.

Headteacher Neil Parker is taking on responsibility for all three schools.

The decision came about after the retirement of George Dent’s former headteacher Carol Dawson.

To officially mark the start of the partnership, headteacher Neil Parker handed the official agreement over to pupils at George Dent Nursery School.

Councillor Stephen Harker, chairman of the nursery’s board of governors, said: “This is a fantastic move for the Nursery School.

“George Dent has a long history of outstanding provision, so teaming up with BRandH, which too has a fantastic reputation, provides an opportunity for all three schools to benefit from each other’s expertise.

Neville Briscoe, chairman of governors for BrandH, added: “By focusing on early years teaching, we aim to further build on our reputation for delivering outstanding education to children from the age of three.”