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Berwick Partnership of Schools Update -July 2025

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Berwick Partnership of Schools Update -July 2025

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Berwick Partnership of Schools Update - July 2025

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A key addition to the partnership is the creation of a new 30 place provision at Berwick St Mary’s Church of England First School.

The Tweed at St Mary's will support the learning of children with a range of neuro-divergent and social and emotional needs.

This will mean more children will get the right education for them closer to home and the support they need as early as possible.

Work is well underway with the new accommodation for the unit is expected to open in January 2026.

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Northumberland County Council’s aim is to align provision for students from nursery to 18 years old.

To aid this vision, a working group of headteachers, officers and other professionals has been established to drive a number of workstreams required to effectively establish the SEND unit at Berwick Academy.

A priority focus of the working group is to create a consistent approach to meeting the needs of SEND learners as they move through the primary phase at St Mary's and transition into the secondary offer at Berwick Academy, with the aim of a seamless transition that allows all our pupils to thrive.

Meetings have also taken place with representatives from the Parent Carer Forum and Northumberland North Autistic Society to seek their views on the vision for the SEND unit.

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Berwick Academy design options go on show for first time

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Berwick Academy design options go on show for first time

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Northumberland County Council - Berwick Academy design options go on show for first time

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Detailed design options for the multi-million-pound investment into Berwick Academy have gone on display for the first time.

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Have your say on designs for Berwick Academy

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Have your say on designs for Berwick Academy

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Berwick Reorganisation - Berwick Academy public consultation event on options - Have Your Say Northumberland - Citizen Space

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Find and participate in consultations run by Have Your Say Northumberland

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Take a birds-eye tour round our computer generated design of how a new Berwick Academy could look!

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Design options for Berwick Academy published

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Design options for Berwick Academy published

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Here are the detailed design options presented at the Berwick Academy drop-in session on July 9.

You can also let us know your thoughts online until July 18 via https://nland.cc/BAplans

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Public event to give first look at design options for Berwick Academy

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Public event to give first look at design options for Berwick Academy

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Exciting news! The detailed design options for the future of Berwick Academy are now complete.

Our lovely project team would like to invite you to a public consultation event on:

Date: Wednesday July 9

Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Venue: Berwick Academy

You’ll be able to:

view the different design options

ask any questions

give your feedback.

We look forward to seeing you there.

If you can’t make it, the designs will be posted online here after the event along with ways to give your feedback.

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Berwick Academy consultation event July 2025 (1)

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Council Leader calls on Government for school investment

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Council Leader calls on Government for school investment

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First look at designs to expand North Northumberland First Schools into Primary Schools 

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First look at designs to expand North Northumberland First Schools into Primary Schools 

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First look at designs to expand North Northumberland First Schools into Primary Schools
To see the plans and find out more about the project click here.
The first designs have gone on display to show how first schools in the Berwick Partnership will look when they transform into primary schools.

Northumberland County Council is investing over £50m in schools in north Northumberland as part of its major investment in education across the county.

This involves the transition of the area's first schools and Berwick Academy into primary schools and a secondary school, along with the creation of more specialist, post-16 and community facilities.

The total investment now stands at £50.225m and will deliver excellent facilities for all learners in the Berwick Partnership, supporting education in the area for generations to come.

Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet member for Inspiring Young People, said: "Across the partnership, work is progressing on schedule to expand the first schools so they are ready to transition into primary schools from September 2025.

"Designs are in their final stages, the procurement of contractors is underway and planning applications are being prepared for submission where needed.

"We continue to make good progress with the investment into Berwick Academy and are working closely with technical advisors to develop detailed plans for what the future building will look like. The council is also in discussion with the Department for Education with regard to a contribution towards the capital costs for Berwick Academy.

"We are committed to supporting all our children, young people, their families and school staff during this transition process as the partnership of schools and the wider community moves forward together onto this exciting next chapter."

The partnership's first schools will transition into primary schools from September 2025.

To enable schools to accommodate their additional pupils, schools are working with architects on bespoke designs that will include the remodelling of existing buildings or new purpose-built modular classrooms.

Projects for new classrooms at Scremerston First School, Tweedmouth West First School and Holy Trinity Church of England First School are progressing on schedule. The appointment of contractors is underway and the designs are in their final stages.

One of the major projects in the reorganisation is the creation of a new unit for children with special educational needs at Berwick St Mary's Church of England First School. The planning application will be submitted shortly, with work planned to start on site in Spring 2025.

Internal refiguration projects at Wooler First School and Norham St Ceolwulf's C of E Controlled First School are also progressing on programme.

This includes a new Family Hub at Wooler First School and wider community engagement will get underway next month about potential use of surplus space to enhance community facilities.

Smaller capital projects also continue to progress at Lowick First School, Spittal First School and Tweedmouth Prior Park First School.

To see the plans and find out more about the project click here.

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Northumberland County Council - First look at designs to expand North Northumberland First Schools into Primary Schools

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The first designs have gone on display to show how first schools in the Berwick Partnership will look when they transform into primary schools.

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Norham St Ceolwulf’s C of E Controlled First School 

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Norham St Ceolwulf’s C of E Controlled First School 

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The existing Norham St Ceolwulf’s C of E Controlled First School building will undergo an internal remodel to create an additional classroom within the hall.

The hall will be relocated to the existing hallway and there will be provision of Learning Resource Centre.

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Wooler First School will see an increase in pupil numbers from 103 to a proposed capacity of 210 by September 2025.

On the ground floor, internal spaces will be remodelled to provide a reception and nursery classroom along with a new Family Hub. All other ground floor classrooms will remain the same.

The second floor will be remodelled to provide the required Key Stage 2 classrooms, and ICT/ learning resource area, staff base, KS2 WCs, staff WC, remodelled practical classroom and a group/intervention room. A new lift will provide access to the first floor.

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Berwick St Mary’s Church of England First School 

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Berwick St Mary’s Church of England First School 

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Following the transition, Berwick St Mary’s Church of England First School will see an increase in pupil numbers from the current number on roll of 68 to a proposed capacity of 105.

The existing building will be remodelled to provide the mainstream Year 1/2 classroom, Year 5/Year 6 classroom and the nursery/ reception space.

The mainstream entrance will also be remodelled to provide a WC and one accessible WC for staff/visitor use. The Year 3/Year 4 classroom will remain the same.

The plans also include a new integrated 30 place unit for learners with a range of neurodiverse needs to be in place by September 2025.

The designated SEN unit will be an extension to the existing building and will provide three classrooms, two small group rooms, two therapy rooms, one large group/sensory room, three WCs, one AWC and cloak space.

A new footpath will be created to the west of the site for main school drop-off/pick-up.

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Holy Trinity Church of England First School

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Holy Trinity Church of England First School

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Plans to expand Holy Trinity Church of England First School include adding a new building to the north west of the existing building to provide a Year 2 classroom, an intervention/group room, one WC and a lobby/cloak area.

The existing building will undergo some internal remodelling to refurbish an existing room into the Year 1 classroom and there will be a remodel to the existing Year 5 classroom.

We are looking at the possibility of providing a building extension to the existing building - instead of a standalone building - but we will have to overcome technical issues around existing drainage runs and building structure.

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At Tweedmouth West First School, a new two-classroom modular unit will provide classes for Key Stage 2 and replace the current nursery building.

There will also be two WC, two additional storage rooms and a lobby/cloak store at the classroom entrance.

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At Scremerston First School, a new modular unit will provide an additional Key Stage 2 classroom and associated WC and accessible WC.

There will also be a new intervention/SEN room and storeroom along with some minor adjustments to the existing building to include an improved fire escape door.

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Sway: Create and share interactive reports, presentations, personal stories, and more.

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Sway is an easy-to-use digital storytelling app for creating interactive reports, presentations, personal stories and more. Its built-in design engine helps you create professional designs in minutes. With Sway, your images, text, videos, and other multimedia all flow together in a way that enhances your story. Sway makes sure your creations look great on any screen.

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We recently completed the transition of first schools in the Coquet Partnership into primary schools through a combination of remodelling and new classrooms. You can see some of the new modular classrooms in the pictures below.

Key features and benefits of modular classrooms include:

Bespoke classrooms designed to meet specific school requirements

Minimal disruption and improved site safety thanks to fewer vehicle movements and less noise and less waste than a traditional construction site

Dedicated ventilation system to reduce CO2 build-up and improve concentration levels. Increased ventilation rates have been shown to improve maths and reading test scores

Installed with enhanced child safety in mind, and fitted with safety features such as finger guards on doors and low surface temperature heaters

Well-insulated, air-tight buildings fitted with movement-sensitive PIR lighting for enhanced energy efficiency.

Air source heat pumps

PV panels on roof provide solar generated electricity

Designed to meet permanent building regulations

Meet the needs of wheelchair access regulations including: Part M Building Regulations, Equality Act, and Special Educational Needs and Disability Act

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An example of a modular classroom at Red Row Primary School, Amble

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A new state-of-the-art Family Hub will open at the new Wooler Primary School.

Northumberland Family Hubs provide activities and support for families of children of all ages.

Read more about our family hubs here: https://www.familyhubsnorthumberland.co.uk/

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Family Hubs in Northumberland, previously Sure Start Children’s Centres

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Family Hubs Northumberland, previously known as Sure Start Children’s Centres, are spaces to meet, learn, take part in FREE activities and access help and information. We’re here to support parents and carers of children or young people between 0-19 years, or 25 with additional needs.

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Detailed design options for the multi-million-pound investment into Berwick Academy will go on display for the first time next week.

Northumberland County Council is holding a community event at Berwick Academy on Wednesday July 9 to showcase the different options available.

Feedback from the event will help shape the outline business case that is being prepared for the Council’s Cabinet and will contain final recommendations for the project.

The council is also in discussion with the Department for Education with regard to a contribution towards the capital costs.

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Final preparations are being made to expand North Northumberland’s first schools into primary schools ready for the start of the new term.

Work is taking place to enable schools to accommodate their additional pupils from September. New bespoke classrooms have arrived at Scremerston First School and Tweedmouth West First School, with Holy Trinity Church of England First School’s arriving shortly.

Internal improvement projects at Wooler First School and Norham St Ceolwulf’s C of E Controlled First School are also progressing to programme and projects have been completed at Spittal, Lowick, and Tweedmouth Prior Park First School.

A key addition to the partnership is the creation of a new 30 place provision at Berwick St Mary’s Church of England First School. The Tweed at St Mary's will support the learning of children with a range of neuro-divergent and social and emotional needs.

This will mean more children will get the right education for them closer to home and the support they need as early as possible.

Works at Wooler First School begin next week and will include the provision of a new bespoke Family Hub​ for the local community.

The scheduled works will be delivered in a number of phases over the next year enabling the school to continue to operate from its existing buildings.

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Next steps approved for £50m North Northumberland Schools Masterplan

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Next steps approved for £50m North Northumberland Schools Masterplan

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Plans to expand first schools in North Northumberland into primary schools are taking shape as part of a £50m investment by Northumberland County Council.

The Council has approved statutory proposals to restructure schools within the Berwick Partnership to a primary and secondary model from September 2025.

Following the design stage of the first school expansion project - Cabinet have committed a revised budget of £8.207m - an increase of £2.430m and bringing the total investment into the partnership to £50.225m.

Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet member for Inspiring Young People, said: "We want to ensure the right and best education for all our children in Northumberland and this is just the latest part of the wider development of our school estate across the county.

"It involves schools across North Northumberland, from Wooler to Belford to Berwick and will not only expand our first schools but create more places for children with additional needs closer to home."

The Council has appointed technical advisors to support in developing and delivering the plans for the schools.

Architects have created a series of designs for the first schools and a new state-of-the-art Family Hub facility at the new Wooler Primary School.

The procurement of contractors is also underway and planning applications have started to be submitted.

Next steps include expanding specialist provision including a new SEN Unit at the site of Berwick St Mary's Church of England First School with 30 places for children diagnosed with special educational needs, primarily those with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH), Speech Language and Communication (SLCN) and Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) with effect from 1 September 2025.

An outline business case for the project to develop the Berwick Academy buildings will be brought to Cabinet for approval in the near future.

It is the latest project in the Council's largest ever capital programme; transforming education and learning facilities for young people now and for generations to come.

Students are already enjoying new and improved facilities at Haydon Bridge High School, Ponteland High School, Hexham's Queen Elizabeth High School and Emily Wilding Davison School in Ponteland.

Projects are now underway to refurbish and rebuild schools in the Coquet, Seaton Valley and Berwick partnerships of schools, which will include state-of-the art new high schools as well as investment in primary schools, specialist, post-16 skills and post-18 provision.

Funding is also being channeled into remodeling and refurbishment projects across the county - from new modular buildings to general school improvements.

The investment in the Berwick Partnership of Schools is the latest in a number of major investments in the area, including a multi-million pound scheme to redevelop the Maltings venue in Berwick, along with a new £23m leisure centre and a £4.2million project to create a thriving cultural hub at Berwick Barracks.

In Wooler, the £16m Ad Gefrin distillery has led to a huge increase in visitor numbers to the local area.

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Northumberland County Council - Next steps approved for £50m North Northumberland Schools Masterplan

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Plans to expand first schools in North Northumberland into primary schools are taking shape as part of a £50m investment by Northumberland County Council.

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Cabinet approves £41.177m investment in schools in Berwick

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Cabinet approves £41.177m investment in schools in Berwick

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https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/News/2023/Jul/Cabinet-approves-41-177m-investment-in-schools-in.aspx

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Outcomes of Statutory Consultation on Proposals for the BerwickPartnership

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Outcomes of Statutory Consultation on Proposals for the BerwickPartnership

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CABINET REPORT - OUTCOMES OF STATUTORY CONSULTATION ON PROPOSALS FOR THE BERWICK PARTNERSHIP

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Cabinet gives go-ahead to propose two-tier school system in Berwick as part of £40m investment

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Cabinet gives go-ahead to propose two-tier school system in Berwick as part of £40m investment

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https://nland.cc/DpUE

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Northumberland County Council - Cabinet gives go-ahead to propose two-tier school system in Berwick as part of £40m investment

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Following consultation on the future model of schools in Berwick, Cabinet has approved a recommendation to publish statutory proposals for a two-tier system of education.

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Cabinet report: Outcomes of the Consultation on Proposals for the Berwick Partnership

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Cabinet report: Outcomes of the Consultation on Proposals for the Berwick Partnership

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https://northumberland.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s14187/07%20Outcomes%20of%20Consultation%20on%20Proposals%20for%20the%20Berwick%20Partnership.pdf

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Councillors recommended to publish proposals for two-tier school system in Berwick 

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Councillors recommended to publish proposals for two-tier school system in Berwick 

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Northumberland County Council - Councillors recommended to publish proposals for two-tier school system in Berwick

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Following consultation on the future model of schools in Berwick, councillors are recommended to approve the publication of statutory proposals for a two-tier system of education.

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Outcomes of the Consultation on Proposals for the Berwick Partnership

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Outcomes of the Consultation on Proposals for the Berwick Partnership

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OUTCOMES OF THE CONSULTATION ON PROPOSALS FOR THE BERWICK PARTNERSHIP

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Phase 2 - Frequently Asked Questions - Additional Questions

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Cabinet approves further public consultation on £40m Berwick schools investment  

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Cabinet approves further public consultation on £40m Berwick schools investment  

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Cabinet approves further public consultation on £40m Berwick schools investment

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Outcomes of Consultation on Berwick Partnership Organisation

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Outcomes of Consultation on Berwick Partnership Organisation

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CABINET REPORT - OUTCOMES OF CONSULTATION ON BERWICK CONSULTATION

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Consultation on £40m investment for Berwick Schools

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Consultation on £40m investment for Berwick Schools

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Northumberland County Council - Consultation on £40m investment for Berwick Schools

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A public consultation is set to get underway on the future model of schools in Berwick after the Council's Cabinet approved the next step in its major investment in the county's education provision.