GOVERNORS have admitted there could be job cuts at two Tynedale primary schools in the new year.

A review of staffing is under way at Church of England schools in Greenhead and Henshaw.

The two schools are the only surviving members of the West Tyne Federation of Schools, following the closure of Coanwood’s Herdley Bank School last Easter, and Whitfield Primary’s decision to leave the federation in the summer.

Now the federation’s board of governors says a staffing re-structure is essential to ensure the two schools are sustainable.

Chairman of governors Pippa Milburn has written to parents after information was leaked on to Henshaw Primary School’s website in error, which made reference to possible job cuts.

Mrs Milburn said: “A document appeared in error in the ‘news’ section of Henshaw’s website, and referred to a possible reduction in staff numbers. We should not have published this document without a full explanation of its purpose, and we apologise to you as parents and to our staff for any concern or distress this has caused.

“Our schools must become sustainable, particularly in the changing financial and political landscape of education, and it is in this light that we are undertaking a review and re-structure which may result in a reduction in staffing across the federation schools.”

Mrs Milburn stressed that members of staff affected by the re-structure, had already been made fully aware of the situation.

She added that governors were also seeking to appoint a permanent executive headteacher for the West Tyne Federation’s two schools. Judith Meek is currently acting head of the two schools.

Candidates will be interviewed in the new year.

The letter added that people had come forward to fill vacancies on the federation’s governing body, which oversees both schools.

Mrs Milburn added: “The governing body has seen the addition of new, enthusiastic governors joining us with a huge range of skills.

“The governing body is now extremely well placed to help drive forward our ambition for our schools and for the children in their care.”