Academy spreads its net even wider

Jun 28 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal

PLANS to create Northumberland’s second all-age academy school are set to be expanded to take in pupils from a third local community.

So far, proposals for the Hirst Academy – to be sponsored by the Duke of Northumberland and the Church of England – have included youngsters at nine existing schools in Ashington and Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.

Now pupils in nearby Lynemouth also look set to become part of the academy following a rethink over the village’s role in the £44.6m educational shake-up.

Consultations are to be carried out on making Lynemouth First School the site of a primary element of the academy, which would educate children aged three to 18.

Originally, it was proposed that Lynemouth First would transfer from the Hirst High School pyramid to become a feeder school for Ashington High.

Now, following an initial 18-week consultation exercise on the Hirst reorganisation, local parents have suggested an alternative strategy which would see the school included in the academy.

The revised model now involves building the main academy on the Hirst High site – with secondary, primary and special needs elements – and four primary academies, one in Newbiggin and the others at Lynemouth First School and on the Alexandra and Hawthorn First School sites in Ashington.

The further consultations, which were agreed by the county council executive yesterday, will also consider changing the site of the Newbiggin academy – currently planned at the village middle school – and catchment area issues in the Fallowfield area of Ashington.

Yesterday Wansbeck MP Denis Murphy said he was seeking a meeting with the new Liberal Democrat administration on the county council to discuss the Hirst reorganisation, and education reform in general.

He said: “Lynemouth has always been part of the Hirst High pyramid so it seems sensible to include it within the academy. However, I believe it would be a huge mistake to have only one school in Newbiggin. Two sites are required there and I will be pressing for that to happen.

“In addition, I would like to see Coulson Park First School in Ashington included in the academy. It should be a beacon school because of its excellent standards.” The plan now involves 10 schools – Hirst High, Newbiggin Middle and Ashington’s Seaton Hirst Middle and Coulson Park, Welbeck, Alexandra, Hawthorn, Newbiggin Moorside, Newbiggin Windsor and Lynemouth First Schools which would close in August 2009.