HALTWHISTLE town councillors remain determined to protect the future of education in the town, as the future of the town’s middle school remains uncertain.

Speaking at Haltwhistle Town Council this week, Coun. John Elliott said: “We have to be able to say to people in our town that we’re fighting for what’s best for our kids.

“We have to send a letter to Northumberland County Council saying that we don’t want any deterioration of the standards of education in this area. The county council owes the children of the west, and to just close schools or threaten closure is sad.”

County councillor Ian Hutchinson said the council had no control over Haltwhistle Campus due to its academy status, but questioned where the money to keep the school open would come from. He added that if the town switched to a two tier system, the middle school would be likely to remain as capacity would be needed for children from ages four to 11.

Northumberland County Council is looking to work with new academy sponsors WISE to find a solution that fits the wider organisation of schools in the Haydon Bridge Partnership.

With the council set to make a decision on the future of Bellingham Middle School on July 10, Haltwhistle could be the only middle school left in the partnership.

A spokesman for WISE Academies said: “WISE Academies are prepared to operate the Haltwhistle schools in their current age ranges.

“If Northumberland county council decides on July 10 that the system of education in the Haydon Bridge area does not include the middle school system, WISE will have to consider their position very carefully.

“Clearly it is not possible to pre-empt the outcome of the ongoing process and WISE Academies will respond when the consultation phase has been concluded.”

WISE Academies chief executive Zoe Carr met parents and pupils at Haltwhistle Middle School on Monday.