Consultation on the future of Langley First School and Appletree Gardens First 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 merger of two First schools and the expansion of a special 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.

To address these challenges, the Council is proposing to:

  • Merge Langley First School and Appletree Gardens First School

  • Move pupils from Langley First School to the Appletree Gardens site

  • Increase admissions at Appletree Gardens to accommodate pupils from both schools.

  • Use the Langley First Primary school site to expand Woodlawn Special School

  • Close Monkseaton Middle School

  • Adjust admission numbers at two Middle Schools

There is a separate guide to the proposal to close Monkseaton Middle School and adjust the number of pupils admitted at other Middle Schools.

Appletree Gardens First School and Langley First School are within half a mile of each other and both have surplus places. Appletree Gardens First School can accommodate 432 pupils, which is more than the amount of both schools combined when future birth rates and admission numbers are adjusted.

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 merger of two First schools and the expansion of a special 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.

To address these challenges, the Council is proposing to:

  • Merge Langley First School and Appletree Gardens First School

  • Move pupils from Langley First School to the Appletree Gardens site

  • Increase admissions at Appletree Gardens to accommodate pupils from both schools.

  • Use the Langley First Primary school site to expand Woodlawn Special School

  • Close Monkseaton Middle School

  • Adjust admission numbers at two Middle Schools

There is a separate guide to the proposal to close Monkseaton Middle School and adjust the number of pupils admitted at other Middle Schools.

Appletree Gardens First School and Langley First School are within half a mile of each other and both have surplus places. Appletree Gardens First School can accommodate 432 pupils, which is more than the amount of both schools combined when future birth rates and admission numbers are adjusted.

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.

  • Potential merger of Langley First School and Appletree Gardens First School

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

    • to potentially merge Langley First School and Appletree Gardens First School, with the proposal to close Langley First School and use Appletree Gardens First School to accommodate the combined pupils on the Appletree Gardens First School site 
    • that the merged school would retain the original Appletree Gardens First School Department for Education school number and be based on the Appletree Gardens First School site. 
    • that the local authority work with the Governing Body of Woodlawn Special School with a view to repurposing the Langley First School site to focus on and support the development of high-quality, specialist education for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities at Woodlawn Special School.


    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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