MEMBERS of the community in Bellingham are refusing to give up the fight to secure the future of the village middle school.

As pupils prepare to return to classes on Tuesday, school governors revealed that they have launched a formal appeal to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator (OSA), over Northumberland County Council’s decision to close the school next year.

Working with the Department for Education, the OSA can intervene when differences arise between schools and local authorities.

Governors say they are now awaiting the outcome after objecting to plans, which were finalised by the council’s ruling cabinet last month, to close Bellingham Middle School, while converting Bellingham First School and a number of other small rural schools in the catchment to primaries.

The decision means that a two-tier system would be implemented across a large chunk of the Haydon Bridge Partnership from the start of the next academic year.

“The Governing Body of the Bellingham Partnership of Schools has used its right to appeal against the county council’s decision to close Bellingham Middle School,” said a middle school spokeswoman.

“This appeal was sent to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator during August and governors are awaiting the outcome.

“We will let parents know what the response is in due course, and would like to thank everyone for their continued support of BMS.”

Objections centred around the closure of Bellingham middle have seen parents describe the council’s decision as “morally indefensible” with transport issues cited as one of many difficulties.

Parents, many of whom had already signed a 350-name petition against the closure, are being encouraged to send their own appeals to the Schools Adjudicator as part of the campaign.

Parent, Carl Hamilton, said: “The children, staff and communities should not be made to suffer and become victims of the mess which education in this area has been allowed to get into.”

A public meeting is due to take place at Bellingham Town Hall on Wednesday, September 5 where parents, governors and teachers will discuss ways of keeping the school open.

A spokesman for Northumberland County Council noted the appeal, but added that it would be inappropriate to comment further on the matter.

In a letter to parents, Coun. Wayne Daley, pledged: “We know transport is a concern for parents of affected Bellingham pupils and we will be working closely on a one-to-one basis with them, to develop a robust travel plan for each and every pupil.”