Teaching methods at Hurworth have been praised by inspectors

Eastbourne comprehensive school in Darlington has been strongly criticised by government inspectors for its poor performance.

It has languished at the bottom end of education league tables and has been targeted for special measures support.

Now a unique "federation" is being created, which will see it linked with one of the town's best schools.

That school, Hurworth comprehensive, has been praised by Ofsted inspectors for its quality of teaching.

Outgoing Education Secretary Estelle Morris revealed plans for federation schools before she left the Department of Education.

Hurworth's head teacher Eammon Farrar has been appointed the chief executive of the new federation.

I am relieved that the government has, at last, seen the merits of working collaboratively Head teacher, Eammon Farrar

Now education bosses in Darlington are set to give their final approval.

Mr Farr will have overall control of finances and staffing of the two schools.

He said: "This is great news for both schools.

"The government is very keen for schools to collaborate and share good practice and raise standards.

"We are very keen as a school to use our expertise to support the good work which has already been started at Eastbourne school.

"This is really pioneering and the first of its kind in Britain. There are other federations, but none that work in quite the way we do.

Dangerous situations

"In the past schools like ours have been encouraged to compete against each other and that creates winners and losers.

"But I am relieved that the government has, at last, seen the merits of working collaboratively."

At its low point, Eastbourne school was forced to introduce an isolation for disruptive children and a mobile phone system so teachers can call for back-up in potentially dangerous situations.

Acting head teacher of Eastbourne school, Karen Pemberton said: "What it is about to us is building on the excellent progress we have made already.

"We have proved in recent months that standing on our own two feet, we can make a difference."