Northumberland County Council's ruling cabinet has agreed to move on to the next stage of a formal consultation with residents and stakeholders on the future of education in the Berwick area.
The council is looking to create a sustainable future for the area's schools ahead of a £40 million investment to improve facilities.
Recent years have seen declining pupil numbers and a high proportion of surplus places, as pupils leave the partnership for neighbouring schools in Alnwick and Scotland.
