Talks begin on new build plan for school site

Discussions are being held about a multi-million investment by Northumberland County Council for the Seaton Valley Federation in Seaton Delaval.
Andy Johnson, head of education, executive head John Barnes, Coun Susan Dungworth, Chair of Governors, and Ronnie Campbell MP at the official opening of the relocated Whytrig Community Middle School in 2014.Andy Johnson, head of education, executive head John Barnes, Coun Susan Dungworth, Chair of Governors, and Ronnie Campbell MP at the official opening of the relocated Whytrig Community Middle School in 2014.
Andy Johnson, head of education, executive head John Barnes, Coun Susan Dungworth, Chair of Governors, and Ronnie Campbell MP at the official opening of the relocated Whytrig Community Middle School in 2014.

Initial meetings have taken place between the federation and council officers on the creation of a new building at its site on Elsdon Avenue.

At the moment, the site contains Astley Community High School, which is a mixed 13-18 comprehensive school, and Whytrig Community Middle School, a mixed 9-13 comprehensive school.

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Seaton Sluice Middle School is also in the federation – all three schools are maintained by the county council.

The federation is organising an open evening for federation parents, parents from feeder schools and staff on Monday, March 13 to outline the plans.

The county council will have an exhibition showing recent new build projects at Prudhoe, Bedlington and Alnwick to highlight some of the potential options.

Chair of Governors and local ward councillor Susan Dungworth said: “I’m delighted that the county council is considering a major capital investment to the federation to upgrade and remodel our current educational facilities.”

She added that such a development would ‘make a huge difference to daily life for our young people’.

In September 2014, Whytrig Middle moved into a renovated block on the Astley campus.