Roman Catholic school shake up in Blyth and Bedlington backed by council
Oct 2 2009 The Journal
AN EDUCATIONAL shake-up involving four Roman Catholic schools in two neighbouring Northumberland towns has been given the backing of council bosses.
The reorganisation – which includes a £5m investment in new building and remodelling – will see the schools in Blyth and Bedlington switch to a two-tier system.
Detailed proposals submitted by the four governing bodies have been approved by the county council’s Liberal Democrat executive.
St Andrew’s First in Blyth and St Bede’s First in Bedlington will become primary schools for children aged three to 11 in September next year.
St Wilfrid’s Middle in Blyth will close in August 2011, although its buildings will be used for the new primary school from that time.
And St Benet Biscop High in Bedlington will become an 11 to 18 high school in September 2011.
The proposals were put forward with the support of officers from the Roman Catholic diocese of Hexham and Newcastle and the county council, following consultation with parents and the public.
Almost £5m has been earmarked by the diocese to support the building and remodelling needed to accommodate the extra children at the three remaining schools.
Harry O’Neill, director of education for the diocese, said: “It is always sad to see the closure of a school and St Wilfrid’s has served the community in Blyth very well for many years.
“However, the diocese has supported the move to two-tier education in our schools and our staff and children will benefit from the investment.”
Coun Lesley Rickerby, executive member for children’s services at the county council, said the shake-up was in line with aspirations to secure an improved education system across Northumberland, enabling better pupil performance and more effective use of resources and buildings.
She said: “We welcome the proposals by the governing bodies which have been well thought through and researched and have the backing of the community.
“The proposals are also consistent with the reorganisation of the county schools in Blyth from three-tier to primary and secondary schools.”
Planning permission will have to be secured for the necessary building work.
