Pupils to be taught in library while school shut

Wideopen Library will be temporarily closed to accommodate school children

A library has temporarily closed to the public to make space for children unable to attend their school due to structural concerns.

North Tyneside Council has closed Wideopen Library to accommodate two classes from Hazlewood Community Primary School.

The school had to close on 8 February, with pupils moving to remote learning after structural inspections prompted safety concerns.

Students will return to face-to-face learning in the library from 4 March.

Pupils have to wait until then to allow the inside of the library to be adjusted, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

North Tyneside Council's Jon Ritchie said: "We know every day of education is important for pupils, and we appreciate that remote learning has a wider impact on working families.

"We’ve worked with Hazlewood Primary School to explore options to bring pupils back to in-person learning as quickly and safely as possible."

Three other schools, Churchill Community College in Wallsend, Fordley Primary in Annitsford, and Grasmere Academy in Killingworth, have also closed or partially closed owing to similar structural worries.

The council’s mobile library will be visiting the Wideopen site every Tuesday and Thursday during normal opening times.

People can also access the council’s services at other facilities, the closest being the John Willie Sams Centre on Market Street.