PARENTS are to have their say on the designs for Hexham’s two new schools.

Public consultation events will take place next week, with families, residents, and the wider community invited to give their opinions on plans for a new Queen Elizabeth High School and Hexham Middle School on the same site.

Cath Homer, Northumberland county councillor for Hexham East, said: “This is a fantastic, long-awaited investment in young people and the community in Hexham, and I would encourage everyone to get along to the events.”

Concerns had been expressed that having the schools on the same site would allow a two-tier system in through the back door.

However, the council insisted that the £36.1m development would see the schools retain their own spaces, while allowing the Hadrian Learning Trust to benefit from the educational, operational and financial benefits of sharing one site.

Events will take place on Wednesday, September 11 from 5pm until 8pm and Saturday, September 14 from 9.30am until 12.30pm at the Winter Gardens at Queen Elizabeth High School.

It was hoped the school buildings would be ready by September 2021.