HUNDREDS of parents, teachers and families gathered for a protest at County Hall on Monday to mark the final day of a consultation on the future of education in west Northumberland.

Organised by members of the campaign group, Save Tynedale's Amazing Rural Schools, the event included singing, dancing and even story-telling as a petition containing more than 10,000 signatures was handed over to council leaders.

Three options put forward for consideration by Northumberland County Council as part of the process put 10 first schools, five middle schools and one high school at risk of closure.

Helen Yates, parent and STARS campaigner, said: "We recognise there are a series of complex issues going on around Haydon Bridge High School and Queen Elizabeth High School, but it appears to us that these are being conflated and thrown together in an attempt at solving them in one go.

"Of course, this could be to the detriment of many of our brilliant rural schools, who are performing well, financially viable and serving the communities they are at the heart of."

The consultation was launched in the light of a number of issues affecting education, with some fundamental issues outside of the council’s control.

Following the withdrawal of the Bright Tribe Trust from potential sponsorship of Haydon Bridge High School, the Department for Education’s requested that the council look at the future of the school.

In addition, the Hadrian Trust have been consulting on forming an 11-18 school in Hexham, both of which could have a significant impact.

There has also long been a need for improvements in many school buildings, and it has been indicated by the council that future proposals could see investment of many millions of pounds in schools in West Northumberland to provide state of the art facilities.

Coun. Wayne Daley, deputy leader of Northumberland County Council and cabinet member for children's services, thanked everyone who turned out for the demonstration at County Hall and said it was "democracy in action".

"We are extremely grateful to everyone who has given their time and energy to considering the issues and the options, and who have put forward their own ideas for innovative ways to continue to deliver first class education in the area in the future," he said.

Read the latest edition of the Hexham Courant for full coverage of the event.