Fundamental change to education in the Amble area has moved a step closer after proposals to change to a two-tier system were given the green light.
At Wednesday's meeting of the Northumberland County Council's cabinet, members agreed to publish proposals that would see age ranges at the Coquet Partnership of schools switch to a primary-secondary model, as opposed to the current three-tier first-middle-high school system.
The move would also see new school buildings for James Calvert Spence College, as well as a new special educational needs (SEN) school for the area to meet a "growing need".
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Currently, there is no specialist provision for children and young people with SEN, meaning 60 pupils between reception and year 11 have to travel outside of their local area on a daily basis for education - with some having to travel out of the county.
Speaking at the meeting, Coun Guy Renner Thompson, cabinet member for children's services, spoke of his department's track record over recent years.
He said: "This is the latest in a long list of new schools - we have new buildings in Hexham and Ponteland, a new school in Seaton Delaval and previously in Bedlington and elsewhere. This is not funding from Government it is our own taxpayer money for the future of education in Northumberland.
"This has been a relatively straightforward one - the vast majority of responses to the consultation have been in favour. All of the schools are in favour.
"All I will add is that James Calvert Spence has been awarded a good Ofsted, which is its best result ever. It's great news for the town of Amble."
The area's ward councillor, Jeff Watson, said it was vital the new school would contain facilities for the wider community.
He said: "I think we have a significantly bigger opportunity than just a school. We're talking about inequalities and this is an excellent opportunity to get rid of some inequalities.
"There are no facilities in Amble run by the council. There's no community hall, no sports facilities, there's nothing.
"This is an opportunity to make sure that sports and recreation element of the schools align with the community's. I hope we can do this properly, so it's not just a school it is the whole shooting match.
"I'm going to keep saying it until we have a plan that works for the town."
With the cabinet having approved the publication of the proposals, there will now be a four-week period of statutory consultation, during which time all interested parties would be able to submit comments either for or against the proposals. According to the report, it is hoped the new system can be in place by September 2024.
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