Emma Harrison, who has three children at Haydon Bridge High School, said the letter advised of alternative educational establishments which may be available to pupils.
The letter listed five schools and colleges “within a reasonable travelling distance,” despite some of them being as far afield as Peterlee and Newton Aycliffe, in County Durham.
The mum, who lives at Allendale, said: “The letter said we don’t have to move our children away from their existing school, but it’s unsettling because it makes you wonder if the county council is wanting us to send our children elsewhere. The alternatives listed are miles away. It is a very confusing letter and I can’t make any sense of it.”
A spokeswoman for Northumberland County Council said the authority was instructed to send the letter by the Department for Education.
She added: “A new ruling requires a letter to be sent to all secondary and high schools and academies by local authorities across England.
“The letter is aimed at parents of Year 9 pupils, so that they are aware of all the options open to them, such as other schools, academies, free schools or colleges.”
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