16 Schools in Northumberland could be closed in one go.....
The Northumberland Conservatives announced a wide-ranging consultation, with closures, mergers and new schools all under consideration. Too much emphasis on money? Consideration given to small children having to travel? Impact on small rural communities? Who's next is it the North?
Under-subscription, funding pressures and the withdrawal of sponsors have cast doubt over the long term viability of schools in the Hexham, Haltwhistle and Haydon Bridge areas. Yet rather than lobbying the government for a Fair Funding formula to recognise pressures on small rural schools the Tories plan closure.
Three restructuring options have been proposed by the council, all of which involve major changes to Haydon Bridge High School, although the council has stressed that the final plan could be a combination of the three.
A total of sixteen school are identified as being contenders for mergers and closures across the three plans, with as many as ten of them facing the axe.
Tory Deputy council leader Wayne Daley said:
"Unfortunately the current structure, with the high number of small and very small schools, together with no sign of significant growth in pupil numbers means the current education system appears not to be financially or educationally viable in the long term."
However, councillor Grant Davey, leader of the Labour opposition, said he was "extremely disappointed" with the "massive changes" proposed and called on parents to "stick up for their local schools" by registering their views. Children as young as four will have to use public transport. It's an awful way to treat families. A lot of jobs are also at risk - teaching staff, grounds staff, ancillary staff. I take on board the council's concerns and national changes to school funding have hit rural areas, but there are other ways to do it."
The council carried out an informal consultation with school and academy leaders last month yet no information was given to Parents or Public, now it emerges they say they want to consult yet Tory leaflets in the West say they are changing to two tier system ACROSS Northumberland.
Places like Berwick, Amble and others who operate a Three Tier approach will need to be reviewed next to make these changes.
Cllr Scott Dickinson Labour Group Chair said: "This seems rushed and maybe that's because the decision has already been made? Is this a Lip Service consultation or a meaningful one.
At no point have the Tories in Northumberland said they were planning to change the education system to Two Tier apart from a recent leaflet from them in the West.
I have always valued the importance of village schools and the funding is making it impossible to survive. Maybe they should lobby the government for a fair funding deal that recognises the rural need rather than simply shutting them all."
Apparently they want to hear your views, click on the link below.
Here is a snap shot from the Tory leaflets given out in the West with the MP and Councillors on showing they have already decided, or appear to have, which makes the consultation useless?
