School merger decision 'blessing in disguise'
BBCA decision to merge two primary schools may be a "blessing in disguise", a headteacher has said.
North Tyneside Council agreed to merge Hazlewood and Greenfields primary schools in Wideopen, with children due to move to Greenfields, due to issues including problems caused by concrete in Hazlewood as well as a projected deficit at the school.
Headteacher at Hazelwood Stephane Bommel said while the decision was "deeply disappointing", it meant an academy trust had approached them for a potential takeover.
Jon Ritchie, the Labour-led council's director of resources, said the decision had not been taken lightly and was "essential" for high quality education.
When the decision was announced at a council cabinet meeting on Monday, members of the public stormed out, with one heard shouting at councillors: "You're disgusting."
Bommel said: "The parents were really upset [at the decision], visibly so, and that's understandable.
"I think it's time to move on, I think it's really like a blessing in disguise for me, we need to turn the negative into a positive."
Asbestos fears
Concerns from parents include the presence of asbestos at the Greenfields site, though councillors were told the issue was being managed according to legislation and all required action had been taken.
Bommel said staff and children had shown "exceptional resilience" throughout the process.
"We don't agree with the decision whatsoever, my focus is on the children because they deserve stability now and they deserve positivity and the best education now, until whatever happens next."
Hazlewood's move is planned for 2028, though the school is now in talks with a multi-academy trust.
Bommel added: "It's time to move on to the next step, which is becoming an academy and looking at our children's education for the long term and that's the most important thing."
Ritchie said the council fully recognised that the changes could feel "unsettling" for children and their parents.
He said: "The impact on school communities is not underestimated. We are committed to working closely with school leaders, staff, and governors to support careful planning, centred on the needs of pupils."
