Tynemouth MP says future of seven schools in North Tyneside is 'inevitable'
Sir Alan Campbell says it's down to low birth rates - leaving many school places empty
A Tynemouth MP says the newly announced consultation over the future of multiple schools in North Tyneside has become “inevitable”.
Tumbling birth rates in the area are leaving too many school places empty with 300 fewer being born every year since 2018/19.
Tynemouth MP and Leader of the House of Commons Sir Alan Campbell has urged parents to ensure their voices are heard in the recently launched consultation affecting seven schools in total.
North Tyneside Council's first consultation, which runs until November 13, over the possible closure of Monkseaton Middle School and the potential separate merger of six other primary and first schools.
The six other schools facing merger are:
- Langley First School and Appletree Gardens First School
- Forest Hall Primary School and Ivy Road Primary
- Hazlewood Community Primary and Greenfields Community Primary School
Monkseaton Middle as well as Langley and Appletree fall within Sir Alan’s constituency.
In a statement shared with the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Sir Alan said: “School reorganisation is always a matter of concern for parents when it happens, and I would encourage all schools and interested parties to engage in the consultation process which is beginning.
“It is important that parents’ voices are heard including at the coast where there remains strong support for a three tier system.
“The closure of Monkseaton High School and the knock-on effect in neighbouring schools is a direct result of falling pupil numbers. Whilst the government is fully committed to better funding of schools despite the dreadful economic legacy which was left behind, when pupil numbers are falling there comes a point when it becomes inevitable that reorganisation has to be considered.”
The consultation can be found on North Tyneside Council’s ‘Have Your Say’ website.
Schools are largely funded, by the Department for Education, per pupil meaning when the school roll declines so does the funding. Whereas management and staffing costs may stay the same which can lead to financial issues.
North Tyneside Council has also stated that if the proposals are enacted, no changes would be made in the current academic year but would be in place by September 2027.