Consultation on the future of Forest Hall Primary School and Ivy Road Primary School

We want to hear your views on the future of schools in the Forest Hall area, including proposed changes that could lead to the merger of two schools.



North Tyneside’s population 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 for the number of children in North Tyneside.

In the Forest Hall area, there are five primary schools near each other and the number of children attending these schools is falling.

Forest Hall Primary School and Ivy Road Primary School have low pupil numbers and are only two thirds full.

The amount of funding schools receive is linked to how many pupils they have. There is too much financial pressure on the schools and both are in deficit (where the amount the school spends is more than it gets).

The deficit at both schools is predicted to worsen by 2028, which will have an impact on the education children will receive.

The building at Ivy Road is only half a mile away from Forest Hall Primary School and has enough space to accommodate all pupils from both schools.

Ivy Road Primary School was judged Inadequate following an Ofsted Inspection in February 2024. This meant they would join an Academy Trust. Unfortunately, no trust has come forward to take on the school.

The Council needs a clear plan to ensure pupils in the Forest Hall area get the best education now and in the future.


The consultation is looking at the proposal to:

  • Merge Ivy Road Primary School and Forest Hall Primary School


This will mean: 

  • The closure of Ivy Road Primary School 

  • Increased admission numbers at Forest Hall Primary School 

  • The relocation of Forest Hall Primary School to the current Ivy Road Primary School site 


Have Your Say 

We are clear 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 include: 

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 Forest Hall area, including proposed changes that could lead to the merger of two schools.



North Tyneside’s population 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 for the number of children in North Tyneside.

In the Forest Hall area, there are five primary schools near each other and the number of children attending these schools is falling.

Forest Hall Primary School and Ivy Road Primary School have low pupil numbers and are only two thirds full.

The amount of funding schools receive is linked to how many pupils they have. There is too much financial pressure on the schools and both are in deficit (where the amount the school spends is more than it gets).

The deficit at both schools is predicted to worsen by 2028, which will have an impact on the education children will receive.

The building at Ivy Road is only half a mile away from Forest Hall Primary School and has enough space to accommodate all pupils from both schools.

Ivy Road Primary School was judged Inadequate following an Ofsted Inspection in February 2024. This meant they would join an Academy Trust. Unfortunately, no trust has come forward to take on the school.

The Council needs a clear plan to ensure pupils in the Forest Hall area get the best education now and in the future.


The consultation is looking at the proposal to:

  • Merge Ivy Road Primary School and Forest Hall Primary School


This will mean: 

  • The closure of Ivy Road Primary School 

  • Increased admission numbers at Forest Hall Primary School 

  • The relocation of Forest Hall Primary School to the current Ivy Road Primary School site 


Have Your Say 

We are clear 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 include: 

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

  • Potential merger of Forest Hall Primary School and Ivy Road Primary School

    Having read the proposals guide and information about options we would welcome your feedback on proposals:

    • to potentially merge Forest Hall Primary School and Ivy Road Primary School, with the proposal to close Ivy Road Primary School and increase the Published Admission Number at Forest Hall to accommodate the combined pupils on the Ivy Road site
    • that the merged school would retain the original Forest Hall Primary School Department for Education school number and be based on the Ivy Road Primary School site.


    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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