HEADTEACHERS and governors from across Tynedale have taken an unprecedented step to share their concerns over the ongoing consultation on education in west Northumberland.

Leaders from 15 schools – some of which are not among the 16 sites threatened with closure under the options put forward by Northumberland County Council – have put their names to an open letter to Coun. Peter Jackson and Coun. Wayne Daley as leader and deputy leader of the authority respectively.

They argued that the results at Hexham’s Queen Elizabeth High School and, despite the challenges it had faced, Haydon Bridge High School, provided “clear evidence” that the current system, with its foundation in first and middle schools, was working well.

“We do not accept that the current consultation approach, as set out and managed by Northumberland County Council, is providing a fair, robust and appropriate opportunity for school leaders, parents and the wider community to create a ‘unique and innovative’ vision for the future of education in our area,” the letter read.

It called on the council to review and extend the timescale of the consultation due to the “far-reaching implications of the proposed options”.

And it asked for the council to provide more detailed information, including financial modelling, impact analysis and evidence of the expected improvements in educational outcomes, to allow leaders, parents and the community to provide “informed and meaningful” responses.

A request for an update on the progress made in reclaiming the £1m paid to Bright Tribe to take over Haydon Bridge High School and details of all the information the council had received from the Hadrian Learning Trust, which has influenced the potential creation of a new academy, are among 10 key points of information the letter suggested are required by those responding to the consultation.

The schools involved in the letter are: Beaufront First, Bellingham First and Middle, Broomhaugh First, Chollerton First, Corbridge First and Middle, Greenhaugh First, Hexham First, Humshaugh First, Wark First, West Woodburn First, Whitley Chapel First, and the Whittonstall and Broomley First Federation.

Coun. Wayne Daley, deputy leader and cabinet members for children's Services at Northumberland County Council, said: "Please be assured that we are listening carefully to all of the views expressed, and these will help shape what happens next.

"We recognise that this consultation has caused much debate in communities, and appreciate concerns have been raised by partners, schools and parents. We genuinely welcome how engaged all partners and schools have been so far, and many are now exploring innovative ways to continue to deliver first class education in their area.

"It's important to reiterate that the options outlined in the consultation are for consideration, and no decisions have been made. Indeed, through this consultation, we have been actively inviting alternative options - nothing is set in stone.

"The decision to undertake consultation was deemed necessary due to some fundamental issues affecting education in this area. Bright Tribe abandoning Haydon Bridge and Hadrian Learning Trust’s stated desire to move to 11-18 school provision, which the council don’t control, means that we simply can’t ignore the fact the something needs to change.

"Importantly too, the majority of schools in the west of the County supported the idea of a consultation, and we are committed to an open and transparent exercise."