Credit crisis hits pupil numbers

Mar 16 2009 by Nicola Juncar, The Journal

THE head at one of the country’s top-performing state middle schools claims the credit crunch has left it under-subscribed for the first time in almost a decade.

Ponteland Community Middle School, in Callerton Lane, Northumberland, still has places to offer new pupils starting this September.

The fall in the number of new applicants is being blamed on the current economic crisis and the struggling housing market, especially in affluent areas.

Headteacher Caroline Pryer says the credit crunch has made it harder for families to buy new homes in wealthier areas like Ponteland and Darras Hall. The shortfall comes despite the school being described as “outstanding” in an Ofsted report last year, the highest rating government inspectors can give, and being ranked in the top 5% nationally.

However, Dr Pryer says “every cloud has a silver lining” and is pleased the school can now offer places to children outside the usual catchment area.

She said: “Normally we are overwhelmed with families wanting to send their children here, but not this year.

“It’s a combination of factors, including demographic changes outside our control and the state of the housing market.

“But that is actually good news for people outside the area who want to send their children to one of the North East’s premier state schools.

“We will be able to say ‘yes’ to children who normally we would not be able to consider at all and delighted to be able to offer small classes and the facility to personalise the teaching and learning.”