UP to 13 schools could close under proposals for the future provision of education in west Northumberland.

On Monday, Northumberland County Council unveiled three possible options as part of a wide-ranging review prompted by the crisis at Haydon Bridge High School and the perilous financial plight of many other schools.

Although the council said it was prepared to look at alternative plans, it will consult on three options.

Option A: Haydon Bridge High School merges with Queen Elizabeth High School, in Hexham, resulting in the closure of the Haydon Bridge site. This model entails the merger of some first schools to create larger first or primary schools, resulting in the closure of up to eight school sites.

Option B: Haydon Bridge High School merges with Queen Elizabeth High School to create a fully operational two-tier system, with all middle schools and up to seven first schools and one primary closing.

Option C: Haydon Bridge High School is transformed into a 4-16 years all-through school on its existing site. An age 9-18 school is established in Hexham. Bellingham Middle School and Haltwhistle Upper Academy close, along with up to 10 first or primary schools.

The potential school closures are:

Option A: Greenhead Primary, Greenhaugh, West Woodburn, Wark, Beaufront or Acomb, Whitley Chapel Whittonsall and Chollerton First Schools.

Options B: Bellingham Middle, Corbridge Middle, Haltwhistle Upper Academy, Hexham Middle, Hexham St Joseph’s Middle, Greenhead Primary, Greenhaugh, West Woodburn, Wark, Beaufront or Acomb, Whitley Chapel, Whittonstall and Chollerton First Schools.

Option C: Bellingham Middle, Haltwhistle Upper Academy, Greenhead Primary, Newbrough Primary, Greenhaugh, West Woodburn, Wark, Beaufront or Acomb, Whitley Chappel, Whittonstall and Chollerton First Schools.

Coun. Wayne Daley, deputy leader and cabinet member for children’s services at the county council said: “We know and understand that this consultation will generate a lot of debate and discussion. There are 32 schools within the partnership and within the options there is a possibility for some long established schools to close. We must be realistic and work in partnership for the benefit of all children.

“Unfortunately the current structure, with the high number of small and very small schools together with no sign of significant growth in pupil numbers mean that the current education system appears not to be financially or educationally viable in the long term.”

The full consultation document is available here http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/NorthumberlandCountyCouncil/media/Document-store/School%20Consultation/Phase-2-Cons-Ed-West-Doc-Feb-April-2018-Final.pdf