During a visit to North Tyneside on March 15, 2024, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson addressed the contentious issue of school closures and mergers, emphasizing the need for parental involvement in these critical decisions. Her comments come as local authorities face significant backlash over proposed school closures due to declining student numbers, a trend that is affecting communities nationwide.
Phillipson’s visit to Battle Hill coincides with heightened concern among parents regarding plans to close Monkseaton Middle School and merge several primary schools, including Forest Hall Primary with Ivy Road Primary, Greenfield Primary with Hazlewood Primary, and Langley First School with Appletree Gardens First School. These proposals have sparked protests from families who fear the loss of local educational resources.
Government Response to Declining Enrollment
In light of declining birth rates and falling pupil numbers, Phillipson acknowledged that local authorities must consider community input when making decisions about school closures. “Any closures and mergers can be upsetting, and I appreciate it can be destabilising for families,” she stated. “Local authorities must go through a full statutory consultation process, allowing parents to voice their opinions.”
As reported by the Institute for Government (IfG), there are currently over 23,000 empty primary school classrooms across England. The IfG highlights that primary school pupil numbers in the North East have declined by 4.3% since 2019, marking it as one of the regions experiencing the highest drops in enrollment. In contrast, London has seen a more drastic decline, with its schools losing 8.1% of their pupils since the 2018/19 academic year.
Phillipson also discussed alternative strategies for utilizing available school space. “We are thinking about how we can put spare space within schools to good use,” she noted. An example provided was the expansion of nursery provisions at Battle Hill Primary School. The government is also exploring options to enhance special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provisions in mainstream schools.
Community Impacts and Future Challenges
Concerns regarding school closures are not isolated to North Tyneside. Similar proposals have been made for Mickley First School and Prudhoe Castle First School in Northumberland, which could potentially “rip the heart out” of local communities, according to education officials. The IfG warns that coastal and rural areas are facing complex economic and demographic challenges, leading to further declines in school admissions.
As the landscape of education continues to shift, the role of parents in decision-making processes remains crucial. Phillipson’s visit and statements underscore the government’s commitment to addressing community concerns while navigating the realities of decreasing student populations. The future of education in these regions hinges not only on administrative decisions but also on the active participation of families in shaping their local schools.
