School's future considered due to lack of pupils

Council chiefs said the school only has half the number of pupils it could cater for

A consultation is being held on the future of a school which is only half-full.

Monkseaton High School in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, has 511 pupils despite having capacity for 964.

North Tyneside Council is inviting people to share their views on the future of the school, which it said was facing an estimated deficit of £7m by 2026.

Children's services director Julie Firth said the consultation was not a move that was being taken "lightly".

Ms Firth said fewer parents were choosing to send their children to the school which is having a "financial impact".

"This is putting the education of pupils at risk," she said.

The school currently has a £5.3m deficit, according to latest figures.

Previous measures introduced since 2016 to cut the fiscal blackhole, including staff and curriculum cuts, have not been able to stabilise cash problems entirely, the council said.

Ms Firth said no decisions had been made yet about the school's future.

Alternatives to its closure, including shutting its sixth form, are being considered, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The consultation will run until 30 October.