AFTER weeks of uncertainty, assurances have been given that Whitfield Primary School will remain open for the next academic year.

The troubled Church of England school has been granted a stay of execution that will see it fully operational in September 2016.

At this week’s Northumberland County Council cabinet meeting, members voted unanimously to extend the consultation period on the school’s proposed closure.

For the past two years, the 250-year-old school has been in special measures, having received seven damning Ofsted reports.

In the wake of the most recent negative report, the school faced a choice between academisation or closure.

Having judged that acadamisation was not viable, governors at the school made the difficult decision to consult on a proposal to close the school at the end of the summer term.

Throughout this, Whitfield Primary School has retained the steadfast support of parents and the local community.

And at the meeting on Tuesday, this was echoed by cabinet members who agreed to provide more time.

Prior to the meeting, the family and children’s service overview and scrutiny committee had considered a report on the consultation, recommending to ‘extend the consultation period until the end of the summer period in order to revisit whether there are any viable options other than closure.’

Vice chairman of the scrutiny committee, Coun. Eileen Burt, said: “We’re concerned about the 60 children in that school.

“If this allows it to stay open I think everyone would be in favour of that.”

Portfolio holder for children’s services, Coun Robert Arckless, said: “I would support the view of the governing body to allow more time to have the fullest consultation possible and to look at a range of options that we haven’t got in front of us now.”

A statement from the school’s governors, working group and acting headteacher welcomed the progress, which increased their hopes the school would survive.

It stated: “This is good news and gives us more time to take action and seek to ensure the continued existence of the school.

“The local authority and the Church of England are supportive of the steps being taken going forward.

“We remain committed to the school and are all working hard on its behalf.

“Parents should understand that there will definitely be a school open, fully staffed and on site in September 2016.”