I am pleased that North Tyneside Council has listened to the views put forward by parents and schools as part of their recent consultation on local education.
The decision not to close Monkseaton Middle School but to look at making it a Year 5 to Year 11 through school with Additional Resource Provision and expand the SEND offer is the right one.
That was the option I discussed with the Head and Governors at the school which is already the school of choice for many parents whose children have additional needs.
Monkseaton Middle has developed an unparalleled expertise in dealing with kids with SEND and has a proven track record of support for children with additional needs which makes them an asset in a system which is undergoing serious change.
In terms of the decision to explore the academisation of Langley, again I pay tribute to the work of the local community in advocating for their school.
I am pleased that the council has obviously listened to parents, pupils, staff, local councillors and stakeholders and have made the decision to move forward with the process of Langley becoming an academy.
These are important steps in aligning North Tyneside which has many good schools with the ambitious Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill which will ensures every child can succeed, regardless of their background.