Secured: Additional £10m Schools Funding

An additional £10m of funding has been confirmed by Northumberland County Council as part of its budget setting process.

The extra money will support the creation of a 9-18 age school on the Whytrig Middle and Astley High site in Seaton Delaval and takes the allocation available to £31.63m. 

The Best Education and Facilities are Needed for Seaton Valley

Blyth Valley MP Ian Levy has welcomed the additional funding, saying:

“I am delighted that the County Council has provided such a strong commitment to young people in Seaton Valley by increasing the budget available to construct a new school.

I met with John Barnes recently who is the Executive Headteacher of the Seaton Valley Federation and this investment is needed to ensure the best education and facilities for current and future pupils.

Seaton Valley is a part of the constituency where many residents have suggested they have previously been overlooked so I am determined to support the area secure as much funding as possible.

This allocation of almost £32m alongside the £34m recently provided by the Government to develop the Northumberland Rail Line with a station at Seaton Delaval is great news and another example of the positive progress being made.”

Construction to Complete by September 2023

Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson, the Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People added:

“The County Council has invested or agreed to invest over £100m in delivering the schools capital programme. There have been 69 projects in 63 schools across the whole of Northumberland. 

The projects range in value from £19k to £43m and Northumberland County Council has led the way across the UK in investing in multi-million-pound school rebuilds.  This investment in Seaton Valley is one of the largest projects and is another example of our focus on young people.”

A planning application will follow in due course that will show how the new school will be accommodated on the site with existing buildings then demolished. Construction will begin in 2022 and is anticipated to be complete by September 2023 to allow for the school year to start in the new building.