Northumberland Conservatives have today published proposals for schooling in West Northumberland.

In launching the plan today Cllr Wayne Daley said:

'There have been a number of pressures in relation to the school structure of West Northumberland for some time that made an informal consultation was not only necessary, but an important focus for conversation and solutions. It would have been irresponsible of us to duck the hard conversations – pupils, parents and teachers deserve better than that -  and despite the understandable strong feelings expressed throughout the consultation we hope that people will feel we have listened and outlined a positive way forward.

'The consultation engaged thousands of people across west Northumberland about the future of schooling. Throughout the process Northumberland Conservatives have been listening and are incredibly grateful for the time and energy people have committed to this process. This is a plan with significant community input and we believe this is a key reason it will be a success.

'Conservatives in Northumberland run politics in a new way. With the Conservatives in charge you get a Council that will listen and engage with local communities.'

Local Hexham MP Guy Opperman said:

'I am very pleased that Cllr Daley and the County Council’s leadership have really listened to parents on this issue. They said they would listen to what local people have to say and they have kept to their word. It is a very refreshing change from the way our local community was often ignored under the previous administration.

'All of the parents I spoke to accepted that if falling roll numbers or falling standards became an issue then those issues would rightly need to be dealt with. I will be working closely with the Council and Cllr Daley to see how we can all work together to support our local schools going forward.

'Fundamentally I think the fact that the voice of Tynedale is being heard and taken into account at County Hall, for the first time in a very long time, will be very welcome by parents and residents.'

Click here to read the full consultation report.

Watch the video above to hear the key points of the plan.