Prudhoe students return to in-person teaching

A remarkable display of community collaboration has helped hundreds of young people from Northumberland resume face-to-face teaching after their school was closed due to structural issues.

Prudhoe Community High School was shut in February for a minimum of six to nine months after being deemed unsafe, with arrangements made for pupils to continue their learning online.

But, following an extraordinary effort between Cheviot Learning Trust, Education Partnership North East (EPNE), Northumberland County Council, the Department for Education (DfE), Barclays, Ward Hadaway, and Sunderland City Council, the school moved into Sunderland College’s Washington Campus on 31 March.

Ellen Thinnesen, Chief Executive of EPNE, said: “Sunderland College is committed to supporting partners and serving communities in our region.

“We are very pleased to be able to provide assistance to Prudhoe Community High School and Cheviot Learning Trust.”

The campus building will be solely for the use of Prudhoe Community High School students and has specialist facilities, kitchens, cafe, and spaces that will hold examinations.

To ensure a smooth transition, EPNE’s IT, Estates, and Health and Safety teams have worked tirelessly alongside Prudhoe Community High School staff and local suppliers to prepare the campus building to welcome students.

Alice Witherow, Chief Executive Officer at Cheviot Learning Trust, said: “We are really delighted to be settled in the Washington Campus. It is a lovely site, and students are really pleased to be back in a building altogether.

“Prudhoe Community High School and Cheviot Learning Trust are so grateful for the logistical efforts put in by everyone to achieve this relocation so quickly.”

Arrangements have also been made to transport pupils from Prudhoe to Washington each day with everyone guaranteed a place.