Headteacher of Escomb Primary School Wendy Gill and Cllr Rob York as extension plans are announced Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT PLANS for a major extension which will double the size of a village primary school have been drawn up – three years after the proposal was backed by councillors. In February 2018 it was announced that Escomb Primary School, near Bishop Auckland, would be replaced with a new state-of-the-art school. Now Durham County Council has come up with new plans for a major extension with five new classrooms and bigger, better facilities including a larger main hall and an onsite nursery. The council has also secured two acres of land, from the developer of a housing scheme which will neighbour the school, for playing fields and a playground to replace the area to be built on.