Officials at Northumberland County Council say they are “absolutely committed” to the future of a troubled school despite the fact it has been placed in special measures by Ofsted.
Haydon Bridge High School has been nominated by the council for consideration in the Government’s school rebuilding programme.
The council say it raises the hope of “major investment” after over a decade of uncertainty.
Recent months have also seen a series of strikes by teaching staff over poor pupil behaviour and a lack of an effective behaviour strategy from school leaders.
Cabinet member for education Coun Guy Renner-Thompson said: “The council is absolutely committed to the future of Haydon Bridge High School. This is the latest move to improve education in the west of the county.
“This school has been through years of uncertainty, from previous closure and merger proposals, to the failed Bright Tribe academy takeover, to repeated concerns about standards and governance. Parents and the wider community fought hard to protect Haydon Bridge from closure, and now the Government must recognise that and give the school the funding it needs.
“Pupils, parents and staff deserve safe, modern, high-quality school buildings. I will continue pushing to make sure Haydon Bridge High School gets the support, leadership and investment needed to secure a stronger future.”
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The school was first placed in special measures in December 2014. The council had planned to close it in 2017 and merge it with the more popular and successful Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham.
However, following a backlash from parents and the community, these plans were dropped. Further uncertainty was also caused by the failed Bright Tribe academy takeover.
Bright Tribe had been lined up as a sponsor after the school was rated inadequate, but later walked away from the deal. The trust gave up the last of its six schools in 2018.
In 2020, the council spent £4.5 million on a refurbishment package to modernise parts of the school. That came after other high schools in the area, including Hexham and Ponteland, were rebuilt at the council’s expense.
However, in January the school was placed in special measures again. Inspectors found issues with leadership and governance as well as behaviour and teaching.
Headteacher David Nisbet stepped down in April following the publication of the report. The council has since established an Interim Executive Board to strengthen governance, support improvement and oversee the process of academisation.
Coun Alan Sharp, who represents the Haydon and Hadrian ward, was hopeful that investment could help secure the future of the school.
He said: “Haydon Bridge has had issues for a while. I acknowledge there has been failings in the past, and everybody needs to work together to make sure it is a success going forward.
“What I’m quite pleased about is the council has seen the disappointing Ofsted result and taken decisive action by appointing new leadership. I’m really pleased they have acted quickly.
“I want parents to be happy that they can send their children to Haydon Bridge High School and that they will be getting a good-quality education. If they can get some funding to improve the buildings and make it more modern, that’s got to be a good thing.
“Some of the school does require modernisation. If they can get some funding it improves the school – I welcome that.
“Communication is key – as is working with staff and parents so the parents know what is going on. I’m just hoping that they are now making improvements and the council will continue with this, because it is critical for the development and the retention of the school in the future.
“It creates local employment for the village, it’s a very important employer. It’s vital that the high school continues in Haydn Bridge.”
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