'No plans' to extend schools consultation

Opponents of the council's plans say children's education will be negatively affected

There are no plans to extend a six-week consultation on the future of several schools facing closure or merger, a council has announced.

The proposals, in North Tyneside, would see Monkseaton Middle School shut alongside the consolidation of six primary and first schools into three.

North Tyneside Council argues the measures are needed to respond to a falling birth rate and spare school places.

It says a consultation launched on 2 October will conclude on 13 November, despite local opposition.

Staff and parents of pupils at Monkseaton Middle School have reported being "blindsided" by the closure threat.

Nearly half its 205 pupils have special educational needs and disabilities - more than double the national average for a mainstream school.

In an update, the council says there are "no plans to extend the pre-publication consultation period", adding it "considers that the six-week consultation period is sufficient to gather views on the proposals".

However, it also said the process "will remain under review and if, at any stage, the authority considers an extension of time is required then this will be explored further".

'Upsetting and uncertain'

Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell is among those to have called for an extension in recent days, along with Monkseaton's three ward councillors.

The mergers would see Forest Hall Primary School come together with Ivy Road Primary, Greensfields Primary School and Hazlewood Primary School consolidated, and Langley First School join with Appletree Gardens First School.

Upon the conclusion of the consultation, following analysis and if deemed appropriate, a statutory representation period would be launched, meaning individuals or organisations could submit more comments to the council inside a four-week period.

A final decision on the proposals is expected in January, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

In an earlier statement, director of children's services, Julie Firth, said the council understood "how upsetting and uncertain these proposals are, and we are truly sorry for the stress they may cause".

She added: "These are not decisions we make lightly, but we must act now to safeguard the long-term future of high-quality education in our borough."