Northumberland County Council has submitted a funding bid to the government for a new building to replace Mowbray Primary School in Stakeford, which was closed before the Christmas holidays last year after structural engineers discovered worsening cracks in the 1920s building.
School Closure and Temporary Relocation
Mowbray Primary School did not reopen after the Christmas break in 2025 due to structural concerns. Engineers found that cracking and wall movement had become “widespread and progressive”. Pupils have since been relocated to a temporary site at Foundry House in Bedlington. The council confirmed that pupils are expected to remain there until Easter 2027, allowing families to prepare for a settled start to the new academic year in September at the temporary school.
Government Funding Application
County Hall bosses confirmed that the application to the Department for Education’s School Rebuilding Programme was lodged, with a decision expected in spring 2027. Audrey Kingham, the council’s executive director of children, young people and education, told councillors on Wednesday that she would “wait with bated breath” for the outcome. She also stated that a contingency plan would be developed for the next council budget if the government rejects the bid.
Insurance Investigations Continue
A council spokesperson said: “Insurers for Mowbray Primary School have been investigating and monitoring the causes of the cracking for a number of months and this work continues. In the meantime, the County Council have applied for funding from the Government for a new build for Mowbray Primary School under the ‘School Rebuilding Programme’, with a decision on this due in Spring 2027.”
The council also noted that insurance investigations into the cracking are ongoing, and no definitive cause has been announced yet.
