Schools at risk will undergo a second round of consultation.

Four primary schools in North Tyneside that are facing potential closures or mergers will now undergo a second round of public consultation. The local council has outlined plans for Hazlewood Community Primary School to merge with Greenfields Community Primary, while Monkseaton Middle School is proposed for closure, along with Langley First School being closed and merged with another institution.

The Labour-led council previously highlighted that these schools have unsustainable numbers of surplus places, a situation expected to worsen due to declining birth rates.

Campaigns have been active in search of alternative solutions. Parent and campaigner Laura Stokoe expressed that the communitys commitment to keeping Hazlewood open remains strong. The school leadership also emphasized that, despite the challenges, they remain confident in the value Hazlewood provides educationally, socially, and pastorally to the local families.

Earlier proposals for Monkseaton Middle and Langley First were temporarily paused to explore options such as school expansion or academisation. However, the initial consultation, which ran for six weeks and concluded in November, did not present feasible alternatives for Hazlewood or Ivy Road schools.

The current plan suggests Hazlewood would close on 31 August 2028, merging with Greenfields Primary. The council cited structural issues, including "weak and brittle" concrete at Hazlewood, and projected a deficit of 230,000 by 2028. Additionally, Ivy Road School is proposed to close on 31 August, with Forest Hall School relocating to the Ivy Road site to complete a merger by September. Ivy Road is already under an academisation order following an "Inadequate" Ofsted rating in February 2024 and faces a predicted deficit of over 600,000, while Forest Hall has around a third of its places vacant.

Funding for schools is primarily determined by pupil numbers through the Department for Education. This consultation marks the second recent review of the future of North Tyneside schools.

Residents can submit feedback on the Hazlewood-Greenfields merger and the Ivy Road-Forest Hall proposals until 17:00 GMT on 1 January. North Tyneside Councils cabinet will make the final decision on 12 January, determining whether the closures and mergers will proceed.

Julie Firth, the council's director of childrens services, stated: "We aim to provide clear guidance on how these changes could be implemented and the support available to pupils and families. We recognize this is a difficult period and want to ensure everyones input is considered."

Analysis of North Tyneside School Closures and Mergers

The ongoing debate surrounding the proposed school closures and mergers in North Tyneside highlights a significant issue in the region’s education system: the decline in student numbers and the financial instability that many local schools are facing. The latest developments, including the second round of public consultation, shed light on both the challenges and the community’s response to these proposals.

Firstly, the local government’s rationale for these closures centers around the unsustainable surplus of spaces, especially in light of declining birth rates. With fewer children enrolling in schools, the funding provided by the Department for Education—primarily based on pupil numbers—has been stretched thin. Hazlewood, for instance, is projected to face a £230,000 deficit by 2028. Moreover, structural concerns, including crumbling concrete, add further pressure to the school’s sustainability. The situation for Ivy Road School is similarly dire, with an expected deficit of over £600,000, exacerbated by its "Inadequate" Ofsted rating.

While the council's proposed plan suggests that Hazlewood will merge with Greenfields Primary, and Ivy Road will close with Forest Hall relocating, it is clear that the decision has not been made lightly. The temporary pause on the proposals for Monkseaton Middle and Langley First Schools, in order to explore alternatives like expansion or academisation, demonstrates the complexity of finding viable solutions. However, it also highlights the persistent financial challenges and the limited options available to the council.

On the other hand, the community's reaction, particularly from parents and campaigners, underscores the emotional stakes of these decisions. Laura Stokoe's passionate defense of Hazlewood’s importance to the local community demonstrates the deep connection between the school and the families it serves. The school's leadership shares this commitment, emphasizing the educational and social value that it provides. This shows that the closure or merger of schools is not only a financial issue but also one that affects the well-being and future of the children and families involved.

Ultimately, this second round of consultation provides an opportunity for residents to voice their opinions and for the council to re-evaluate its proposals. The final decision on the mergers and closures will be made on 12 January, and it is clear that the outcome will shape the future of education in North Tyneside for years to come. The challenge lies in balancing fiscal responsibility with the needs and wishes of the local community.

Sources:

• At-risk schools to face second consultation

Author: Olivia Parker
Olivia Parker is a journalist and editor with over 8 years in media. She focuses on culture, arts, and social issues, skilled in feature writing and critical reviews.