Consultation on the future of Monkseaton Middle School

We want to hear your views on the future of schools in the Whitley Bay and Monkseaton area, including proposed changes that could lead to the closure of Monkseaton Middle School.


In this part of North Tyneside, known by the Council as the North East Planning Area (NEPA), schools currently operate under a three-tier system; First, Middle, and High Schools.

The population of North Tyneside is changing. Birth rates have fallen steadily since 2018/19 and there are now around 300 fewer children born each year. That’s the equivalent to 10 fewer classes annually. There are now too many schools in North Tyneside for the number of children.

In the NEPA, the problem is worse. Since 2018/19, there have been 113 fewer children born here, when compared to the highest rate, in 2010/2011. There are too many empty places, or ‘surplus places’ at NEPA schools in the three-tier system.

This low birth rate is putting financial pressure on schools, as they get funding based on the number of pupils they have. Many schools in North Tyneside are finding themselves in deficit or predicting a deficit, which is where they spend more than the funding they receive.

The Council is committed to the three-tier structure but needs a clear plan to make sure the system works well for children in the area now, and in the future.

All NEPA admission numbers from First through to High School should be aligned, so the same number of pupils go through the schools from Reception to Year 11, without schools having surplus places.

To address these challenges, the Council is proposing to:

  • Close Monkseaton Middle School, removing 96 places per year group

  • Adjustment of Published Admission Numbers at two Middle Schools removing a further 42 places per year group

  • Merge Langley First School and Appletree Gardens First School reducing First School places by 60.

There is a separate guide to the proposal for First schools in the NEPA.

These proposals would result in a smaller system and could reduce parental choice. They would however meet the capacity demand for families living in the Whitley Bay and Monkseaton area.

Have Your Say

We are clear that no decision has been made. We invite you to share your feedback by completing our survey before 13 November.

Before responding, please read the supporting information which includes:

Your input is valuable and will help shape the future of education in your community.

We want to hear your views on the future of schools in the Whitley Bay and Monkseaton area, including proposed changes that could lead to the closure of Monkseaton Middle School.


In this part of North Tyneside, known by the Council as the North East Planning Area (NEPA), schools currently operate under a three-tier system; First, Middle, and High Schools.

The population of North Tyneside is changing. Birth rates have fallen steadily since 2018/19 and there are now around 300 fewer children born each year. That’s the equivalent to 10 fewer classes annually. There are now too many schools in North Tyneside for the number of children.

In the NEPA, the problem is worse. Since 2018/19, there have been 113 fewer children born here, when compared to the highest rate, in 2010/2011. There are too many empty places, or ‘surplus places’ at NEPA schools in the three-tier system.

This low birth rate is putting financial pressure on schools, as they get funding based on the number of pupils they have. Many schools in North Tyneside are finding themselves in deficit or predicting a deficit, which is where they spend more than the funding they receive.

The Council is committed to the three-tier structure but needs a clear plan to make sure the system works well for children in the area now, and in the future.

All NEPA admission numbers from First through to High School should be aligned, so the same number of pupils go through the schools from Reception to Year 11, without schools having surplus places.

To address these challenges, the Council is proposing to:

  • Close Monkseaton Middle School, removing 96 places per year group

  • Adjustment of Published Admission Numbers at two Middle Schools removing a further 42 places per year group

  • Merge Langley First School and Appletree Gardens First School reducing First School places by 60.

There is a separate guide to the proposal for First schools in the NEPA.

These proposals would result in a smaller system and could reduce parental choice. They would however meet the capacity demand for families living in the Whitley Bay and Monkseaton area.

Have Your Say

We are clear that no decision has been made. We invite you to share your feedback by completing our survey before 13 November.

Before responding, please read the supporting information which includes:

Your input is valuable and will help shape the future of education in your community.

  • Proposal to potentially close Monkseaton Middle School

    Having read the proposal guide and the information about options considered, we would welcome your feed back on the proposal to:

    • potentially close Monkseaton Middle School
    • work with Governing Bodies of Valley Gardens, Wellfield and Marden Bridge Middle Schools and Whitley Bay High School to amend their Published Admission Numbers to meet the needs of pupils within the catchment area.


    All responses to this anonymous questionnaire will be dealt with in accordance with our privacy notice, which can be found here in our privacy statement. 

    If you need us to do anything differently to help you take part in this survey, including providing this information in another language or format, please click here 

    Please submit your responses by 12pm (noon) on Thursday 13 November

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