More schools under threat as rolls drop

Aug 21 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

EDUCATION chiefs across the region have warned that the North’s declining populations could cause even more schools to close or merge over the next decade.

Today The Journal can reveal the extent of the school closures in the North East, prompted by a falling birth rate and the continuing population shift as young families head south.

Figures in a Parliamentary report have shown 152 schools lost to the region since 1997, many of which were long-standing community schools which have seen generations of families pass through their classrooms.

The report revealed the need to merge schools as teachers increasingly face up to small classrooms in some areas while more popular locations are more likely to see overcrowded classrooms.

Councils have opened 57 new or merged schools over the same period.

Some of the biggest changes took place in Durham, where 33 schools were closed down, with 15 being merged or opened.

Newcastle has seen 16 schools close and three open. Gateshead has seen 18 shut down with just six replacing them.

Sunderland councillors have closed 22 schools and merged or opened eight more.

No pupils have been denied a place as a result of the changes.

Simon Reed, executive member for children’s services at Northumberland Council, said the changes seen across the region were a reflection of shifting population patterns and Government funding pressures.

He added: “We want the best for our children and in some cases that unfortunately means some smaller schools will have to make way and close down, particularly in urban areas and in cities.

“If we do not address the surplus of places, the Government in effect provides us with less money, so it is unfortunate but it is something we have to tackle.

“In some rural schools there is as big as a 50% surplus, and these empty school places put real pressure on us to explain to the Government why the schools remain open, even given the difficulties in rural areas.”

A spokeswoman for Durham County Council said the changes were a result of fewer children needing a school place.

She said: “These significant surplus places have left us with no option but to carry out a series of mergers and closures.

“We have in some cases merged two or three schools in response to changes in the population.”

A Northumberland council spokeswoman said: “Over the past few years, the council, through its Putting the Learner First programme, has agreed upon the reorganisation of the schools in two school partnerships.

“Although this will close a further 10 schools, this programme is resulting in a total investment in excess of £81.6m, and is designed to improve educat- ional standards, remove excessive surplus places and improve the school buildings.”