Community celebrates as Northumberland school closure plans scrapped

The Cheviot Learning Trust (CLT), which manages the four schools proposed to merge into two - Mickley First School, Broomley First School, Prudhoe Castle First School and Ovingham First School - has confirmed that the amalgamation plans have been dropped.

This comes less than four weeks after CLT announced the start of a public consultation process, which, if the plans went ahead, would have seen the closures of Mickley First School and Prudhoe Castle First School as soon as next summer.

A petition against the school merger plans, started by Steve Underwood, the parent of two students at Mickley First, was backed by more than 400 people just a day after plans were announced, and now has more than 2,000 signatures.

Parents and children staged peaceful protests against the closures (Image: Supplied)

Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees of Cheviot Learning Trust, Ben Cole said: "Having listened to the strength of opinion and feeling from the whole school community we have decided to close the consultation - the proposal to merge the schools will not progress any further.

"We would like to thank all the parents, staff and wider community who passionately advocated for their schools, taking the time to meet with us and to share ideas.

"Balancing pupil numbers with a falling birth rate remains part of a wider problem facing all schools and this needs to be addressed at a national as well as a local level."

Steve Underwood, speaking on behalf of families in Prudhoe & Mickley, commented: "This decision brings reassurance and stability to families across Prudhoe and Mickley. We are grateful to every parent, member of staff, councillor and local resident who contributed their time insight, and passion. Their voices were vital.”

"The strength of local feeling made it clear how much these schools matter to our communities. We’re grateful the Trust listened and we are very much open to working together on any future considerations for the education of children within our communities."

A spokesperson for Mickley First School said: "We have had news from Cheviot Learning Trust that the Consultation to look at closing Mickley First School will no longer go ahead.

"The admissions portal is still open and can be updated/amended if any parents who wanted to choose Mickley as their first choice for Reception 2026 did not do so due to the Consultation."

A spokesperson for Prudhoe Castle First School said: "Following today's announcement from The Cheviot Learning Trust that the consultation to close Prudhoe Castle First School will no longer go ahead

"We would like to say a huge thank you to our amazing community for your support and care."

"Our school portal is open for September 2026 for reception admissions - spread the word!"

Peter Wise, Mickley First School parent, said: "I am truly relieved and grateful that the nursery will remain open.

"For my family, this means more than a place to learn. It means stability, safety, and a school environment where my son can continue to grow at his own pace.

"For him, this decision protects not just his present, but his future. It gives him the chance to thrive."

Stacey Martin, speaking on behalf of Prudhoe Castle First School parents, said: "People showed up, spoke up, challenged inconsistencies and refused to be overlooked. The Trust’s decision recognises the strength of that response. Our schools are safe because the community refused to sit quietly on the sidelines."

Northumberland county councillor for Prudhoe South ward, Gordon Stewart, said: "I know that many residents have been worried about the proposed closure and this has resonated throughout the area. I am content that this decision will seek to relieve the stress, but I await full details of how this decision will impact upon education in the area going forward."

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