We’re the only council building more schools in the north of this country because we want what’s best for our children and young people. Northumberland Conservatives are committed to making sure that every child in our county has the best facilities for learning, and to do that we’re building the schools our young people need.

Overall Northumberland County Council has set aside £45 million in the medium-term financial plan for building new schools. This is a sign of our determination to make sure everyone growing up in Northumberland has the best possible start in life.

The work is already underway on two new schools in Morpeth and Ponteland. We are investing £1.8 million into teaching and learning at Haydon Bridge High School, with a significant proportion of that going towards improving infrastructure. Guy Opperman MP has visited Haydon Bridge High School to see how the money will be spent there.

Recently, I also met headteachers of the Berwick Schools Partnership to discuss how we could enhance teaching and learning there. Thanks to the cooperation between this council and Berwick’s Member of Parliament Anne-Marie Trevelyan young people in Berwick will get the start in life they deserve.

There are many other important developments in the pipeline, which will make sure that all areas of our county can offer the best possible opportunities for the future of our young people.

Pictured: Wayne Daley with Education Secretary Damian Hinds opening a new school in Northumberland