Council apologises over letter "confusion" as future of Monkseaton High School remains in doubt

North Tyneside Council has apologised following "confusion" over a letter some thought was advertising alternative school places for troubled Monkseaton High nearly 40 miles away.

Parents across the country with children in Year Nine have been issued a letter from the Department of Education, advertising local University Technical Colleges (UTCs). UTCs are state-funded schools for 14-19-year-olds offering vocational and technical education.

However, the delivery of these letters has coincided with local doubts over the future of Monkseaton High School, leading some to think the letter was advertising alternative pupil places a significant distance away. One college advertised to North Tyneside residents was UTC South Durham in Newton Aycliffe, nearly 40 miles away from Monkseaton High.

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The local authority has apologised for the unfortunate timing of the UTC letter and has stressed that it is not about alternative places for Monkseaton High pupils.

Julie Firth, Director of Children’s Services at North Tyneside Council, said: “The letter that parents and carers have received is issued to every child in the country in Year Nine at the instruction of the Department for Education. It outlines University Technical College (UTC) options.

“It is not about alternative provision for children impacted by the consultation on the future of Monkseaton High School. We know that this is unfortunate timing and apologise for any confusion this has caused.”

North Tyneside Council launched a public consultation on the future of Monkseaton High School on September 17, stating that low birth rates, parental choice, and a predicted deficit of £7m had brought the school's future into question.

One concerned parent affected by the potential closure, Chris O'Neill, 49, of Whitley Bay said that parents "are still in the dark about our options and what the future holds".

Figures indicate that there are currently around 511 pupils attending Monkseaton High, which has a reported capacity of 964. This means the school is operating at just over 50% capacity.

The local authority also stated that it had considered several options including academisation. However, it is understood by the Local Democracy Reporting Service that there was no interest from any academy trust.