First school in North Tyneside once earmarked for closure saved by Academy
A Whitley Bay school formerly earmarked for closure has had its future secured by an Academy trust.
WISE Academies has confirmed that the Department for Education has approved the bid for Langley First School to join its trust.
The news comes around 10 months after North Tyneside Council paused its original plans to close the school and merge it with the nearby Appletree Gardens First School.
A statement from WISE Academies says: “We have been very pleased with the level of positive response that we received in the consultation with parents and other stakeholders.
“It has become clear that Langley First School is highly valued by the local community and we are excited at the prospect of working with them in the future.”
It continued: “We have also liaised with North Tyneside Council, who have been supportive throughout our early discussions. WISE Academies looks forward to engaging closely with other schools in the area to ensure that there is a strong educational offer to the young people of Whitley Bay.”
WISE Academies’ central team is currently working alongside the school’s management and owners to “ensure a smooth transition” by 2027.
North Tyneside Council’s plans to close Langley formed part of its highly controversial ‘Education Review’, which opened to the public in October last year.
The plans proved to be the most controversial and opposed attempt in decades to overhaul education locally.
The review proposed closing three schools in the hope that neighbouring schools would accommodate the remaining pupils.
The plans also called for Monkseaton Middle School to close. Monkseaton Middle School has survived closure plans and now operates as Monkseaton Coastal School, with a phased-in expansion of year groups.
Ivy Road Primary and Forest Hall Primary were merged in accordance with the council’s plans by August 31, 2026.
The local authority could soon re-open a public consultation on the future of Hazlewood Primary School, following on from the Office for the Schools Advisor’s decision to throw out the council’s original plans.
Rebecca Wall, North Tyneside Council director of children’s services, said: “North Tyneside Council is committed to working constructively with all schools and education partners, including academy trusts, to ensure that children and young people receive the best possible education and opportunities to thrive. We wish Langley First School every success.”