Ashington Academy catchment area changed amid fears some children were disadvantaged

Ashington Academy is run by the Northumberland Learning Trust (NELT), which also operates several feeder schools.

Previously, the school had prioritised children that attended other NELT schools rather than by geography.

This had led to some pupils in villages such as Linton, Pegswood and Ellington missing out on places and having to travel further afield to towns such as Cramlington and Blyth.

Following concerns raised by parents, Northumberland County Council worked alongside the academy trust to resolve the issue.

Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “The council has listened to the views of parents and worked hard with North East Learning Trust to get the changes to the admission policy required so local people get priority to go to their local high school.

“Like many academies Ashington would prioritse children from other schools in the trust, not necessarily the closest schools to the high school. This has taken an awful lot of negotiation.

“What the academy has done is create a geographical catchment area so those children will get preference. We had been getting complaints where parents were being forced to send their children to Blyth and Cramlington.”

The council conducted a parental survey in March 2024, which concluded that most parents and carers wanted their child to be considered for a place at Ashington Academy over other local schools. These views were shared with the NELT which then amended the admissions policy for the school.

Pegswood councillor David Towns added: “This is fantastic news for parents in Pegswood and beyond. I have been raising the issue with the council on behalf of parents and I’m glad there be no more uncertainty or anxiety about school places from next year.”

The previous system had been putting pressure on some local primary schools, with parents unwilling to put their children in those schools for fear of missing out on a place at Ashington.

However, Northumberland sees more than 97% of children get into their first-choice school. This figure is one of the highest in the country.