Last updated at 15:18, Tuesday, 11 September 2012

A RADICAL overhaul of schools, introducing two-tier education across much of the western areas of Tynedale, is being considered by Northumberland County Council.

The proposal follows a damning report by Ofsted inspectors into standards at Allendale Middle School.
In the wake of the inspection, the council’s director of children’s services Paul Moffat is recommending formal consultation takes place on the closure of the school in August next year.
Allendale First School will then be turned into a primary school, teaching children up to the age of 11.
In turn, there is also expected to be public consultation on granting primary school status to first schools at Whitfield, Haydon Bridge Shaftoe Trust, Greenhead, Henshaw and Herdley Bank.
From the age of 11, pupils at these schools will be transferred to Haydon Bridge High School, which will take on secondary status.
The proposed reorganisation will be debated by the county council’s executive next Monday, September 17.
A public meeting of parents of Allendale Middle School pupils will be held in the Golden Lion, in Allendale, on Tuesday, September 11.
**Don’t miss the Hexham Courant this Friday for detailed reports and latest reaction to the proposals.

First published at 13:51, Monday, 10 September 2012
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk