Plans under way for a £48m education shake-up in Ashington

Jan 28 2010 The Journal

PLANS have been lodged for the construction of Northumberland’s second privately-sponsored academy school as part of a £48m education shake-up affecting three neighbouring communities.

Education officials at the county council have submitted a planning application to demolish Hirst High School in Ashington and build the new academy – sponsored by the Duke of Northumberland and the Church of England – on adjacent land.

The new building will cater for almost 2,000 junior, senior and special educational needs children, and form the centrepiece of the five-site Hirst Academy.

If permission is granted by county councillors, construction work is expected to start in three months time with the new school ready to open by Christmas next year.

The existing Hirst High School will continue to be used in the intervening period and is scheduled to be demolished early in 2012, with the cleared site redeveloped as playing fields and car parking for the new academy.

The reorganisation also includes four separate primary academies in new or refurbished buildings at the Alexandra and Hawthorn school sites in Ashington, and in nearby Lynemouth and Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.