THE crisis-torn high school which has sparked the debate over the future of education in west Northumberland has come up with radical rescue plans to save it from closure.

Haydon Bridge High School wants to offer GSCE courses over three instead of two years, and focus on more vocational subjects.

The new focus will attract pupils back to the school in sufficient numbers to make it financially viable, headteacher Darren Glover hopes.

The school’s future has been uncertain since it was placed in special measures three years ago, following a damning Ofsted report.

A failed academy bid last November, was compounded by a Northumberland County Council report in December, which claimed the school was £1m in the red, was racking up losses of more than £600,000 a year, and had only 361 pupils on its register.

Now, consultations are under way on three proposals for a reform of education in West Northumberland, with Haydon Bridge earmarked for closure in two of the proposals.

But this week, Mr Glover insisted improvements had been made at the school, and that it could build a sustainable future.

He said summer league tables placed the school eighth in the county for progress, and fifth for A-level results.

“Throughout the school we have successes in all areas; sports, the arts, as well as academia. We are immensely proud of the achievements of all our students.”

Mr Glover admitted that uncertainty over the school’s future had led to a decline in pupil numbers, currently standing at just 361.

But he believed the introduction of a new vocationally-led curriculum, with some capital investment, would increase both pupil numbers and make the school viable.

“Our proposal is one which we feel not only prepares the students for the next stage in their lives, but also reflects the needs of the community, employers, and most importantly, the students,” said Mr Glover.

The school plans to implement a three-year GCSE programme, which would include a wider selection of courses, and enable pupils to achieve up to 12 GCSE qualifications.

Project-based learning would be introduced, to ensure pupils developed core skills geared towards employment, alongside traditional academic subjects.

Mr Glover said there would be cross-age teaching for subjects with traditionally smaller numbers in Key Stage 4, to make the courses more viable.

The school also wants to offer vocational and apprenticeship opportunities alongside its existing A-level courses.

Mr Glover added: “The consultation has three models, but it is important to note that these are not the only options.”

He said the voices of pupils and parents were vital to the consultation, and that the school had received a great deal of support from the wider community.