Background

The number of students of secondary age is falling across the west of Gateshead and will continue to do so for several years. Hookergate is one of the schools that has been most affected. It is likely that this will continue to be the case. There are many advantages to a small school and standards at Hookergate have been improving consistently. If, however, numbers continue to fall, there is a risk that these improvements might be compromised, for example by a lack of subject choice and not having the right mix of specialist subject staff.

At the same time the local authority has been bidding for ‘Building Schools for the Future’ (BSF) funding to review and re-build the secondary schools in the west some of which are in quite a poor physical state. In order to have a good chance of getting this money, they have to have a clear plan for making best use of it. This means that issues of over capacity (‘surplus places’) have to be addressed.

What the report says

You can view the report on the council’s web-site under ‘cabinet papers’ but this is a summary of the recommendations.

The report highlights the issues and then suggests 3 equal options

1. Close Hookergate and transfer existing pupils to Ryton and then seek to build a new school on a new site in the Greenside area.

2. Close Ryton and Hookergate and build a completely new school in a different location such as Greenside. This would become the school for all students in the current Hookergate and Ryton ‘catchment’ areas.

3. Close Hookergate and transfer Hookergate students to Ryton. The ‘new’ Ryton school would then be re-built in Ryton.

There is no criticism of the quality of the education provided by either Hookergate or Ryton.

What happens next?

There will be a series of consultation meetings across the area for staff, governors, students and parents before the summer holidays. There will be parents’ meetings in the secondary schools and primary schools. It is really important that people attend these meetings in order to help influence the final decision, which will be taken during the Autumn term.

The report indicates that the most likely date to complete the reorganisation of Hookergate and Ryton would be in just over two years - in July 2011.

Hookergate governors’ position

In general terms governors have been monitoring our overall future position for some time. Various proposals have been suggested including the development of a small ‘village’ campus school involving the local primary school and other services. However, the reality is that secondary school numbers are falling significantly and this continues to be reflected in Hookergate’s roll. We do not want to become ‘unviable’. This is not fair to our young people who deserve the very best opportunities.

The governors therefore intend to support Option 2. The vision of a completely new school serving all the communities of the outer west is a very attractive one. We could take the very best practice from two successful schools and create something very exciting for all our young people.

I would encourage you to take part in the consultation process by making written submissions and attending meetings. All details of dates and times will follow shortly. The views of parents will have a big impact on the final decision.

I know these developments may come as a surprise but I can assure you that the governors, staff and myself will work hard to ensure that current and future secondary students in our area will not be disadvantaged by the outcome of the review and indeed will benefit from great opportunities which may lie ahead.