Schools closure plan attacked

THE academy trust consulting on plans to close two North-umberland first schools has been warned it risks “ripping the heart” out of communities.

- JAMES ROBINSON Local Democracy Reporter james,[e-mail]

The Cheviot Learning Trust has launched a consultation on plans to close Mickley First School and Prudhoe Castle First School from next September.

‘The academy trust has blamed low birth rates in the area for the closure. However, concerned parents have lodged a petition as part of a bid to save the schools, as a campaign against the proposals gathers pace.

‘The petition, started by Prudhoe resident Steve Underwood, has already been backed by more than 360 people just a day after the plans were first revealed.

Mr Underwood, whose children attend MicKley First School, warned closing the schools would be damaging to the communities.

He said: “I have three children - my eldest daughter has just left Mickley First School and my other two children are at Mickley now.

“It's only small, but it is a very good, community driven school. You get all the benefits of it being slightly smaller. There’s a few options in Prudhoe but we really like the school and the smaller classes.

“Mickley is the heartbeat of that community. It’s a great village but there’s limited resources beyond houses. If we take the school out it will rip the heart out. It’s not just directly impacting the families where children are going there.

“Having chosen that school and going through a real thought process choosing it, it’s really disappointing. We love the size of it, we know the teachers and they're so good with the children - the thought that it won't be there in the future is really sad.”