Secondary school set to close despite opposition

The school's closure in 2026 is set to be approved

Plans to shut a half-empty school are set to be approved despite significant objection.

North Tyneside Council has published findings from a ongoing consultation on the future of Monkseaton High School in Whitley Bay, despite 86% of the 272 people who responded being against the plans.

The consultation was set to conclude at 17:00 GMT on Friday, but the council has published recommendations that the school should close in 2026.

The Labour-led authority said it was moving ahead with the closure to allow parents and others involved "sufficient time to digest all of the information" ahead of a meeting next week.

A combination of low birth rates, parental preferences and a predicted financial deficit of £7m by 2027 is the reason behind the closure.

'Enough school spaces'

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, by September 2025, no pupils will be admitted to Year 9 or 12.

Current Year 9 pupils will be supported in their moves to alternative schools for Year 10 by September of the same year.

The current set of Year 10 and 12 pupils will remain at the school and progress to Year 11 and 13 respectively.

The local authority said there were enough spaces across North Tyneside's secondary schools to accommodate displaced students.

Council documents noted it would "take all practicable steps" to help pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.

The council will gather for an extraordinary cabinet meeting next Thursday to formally consider the proposal to close the school.