Candidates divided on closure of high school

THE controversial decision to close Monkseaton High School has divided opinion among the candidates running to become North Tyneside's next mayor.

- By AUSTEN SHAKESPEARE

The seven names in the frame for the top job were quizzed on the future of the school, which is due to close down in 2026, at a special hustings debate on Tuesday. North Tyneside Council confirmed last December that Monkseaton High would be shut down by August next year, despite an outcry from parents and a vocal grassroots campaign to save it.

Local authority chiefs have argued that, with the school operating at half capacity and predicting a financial deficit of £7million by 2027, it was no longer viable to keep it open. Speaking at the hustings hosted by The Chronicle, Labour candidate Karen Clark backed the closure.

Coun Clark, who is seeking to succeed the retiring Dame Norma Redfearn as mayor, said: "Well yes, I do support plans to close Monkseaton High school because the decision has already been taken by the cabinet to do that after consultation with residents and schools.

"No one gets into council business to close schools, no one wants to make those difficult decisions, and it was a very difficult decision."

The Labour candidate also went on to say that she is "fully committed" to retaining the three-tier educational system in North Tyneside's coastal communities.