North Tyneside councillors have accused the local authority of relying on "flawed evidence" in its controversial bid to close Hazlewood Primary School in Wideopen. The council's cabinet agreed at an extraordinary meeting on Monday to launch a consultation on a second proposal to close the school, leaving parents furious.
This comes just months after the Schools Adjudicator blocked the initial proposals, citing "shortcomings" in the plans. Now, opposition councillors have raised concerns about the latest proposals, although North Tyneside Council insists there is "no contradiction".
Structural report cited as key reason
The council's report cites the short lifespan of structural works carried out in 2025 to allow the safe use of the school kitchen and hall as a key reason behind the need to close the school, which has seen significant issues with the condition of the building due to weak concrete. It references an independent structural report which describes proposed measures as a "short-term solution", and gave any repairs a lifespan of five years "provided regular inspections were carried out".
However, campaigners have argued that the report was carried out in 2024, prior to the reinforcement work taking place. They have since had their own report carried out by a separate independent steelworks specialist, which has been seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Independent inspection finds steelwork 'structurally sound'
That report, which followed an inspection in June of this year, found the steel work in the assembly hall to be "structurally sound" and would be so for "many many years to come". The inspector added: "I can't see any reason why this would need to be removed or condemned in any way."
Reform councillor for Weetslade Richard Ross, who is also a parent and governor at the school, has formally served a call-in notice with the council that will require the council to hold a public review into the council's decision. Coun Martin Urwin and Coun Steven Robinson were the co-signatories on the call-in.
Call-in pauses consultation process
Coun Ross said: "Decisions affecting our children’s education must be built on verified facts and lawful procedures. Rushing a closure proposal through cabinet on short notice while relying on a 2024 scoping survey to claim '2025 repairs are due to expire is completely indefensible."
"By formally triggering this call-in alongside my colleagues, we have constitutionally paused the consultation process. The council administration must now face public scrutiny, correct the flawed evidence on the record, and commission a proper, independent assessment of the school building before any further steps are taken."
Responding to the comments, Rebecca Wall, Director of Children’s Services at North Tyneside Council, said: "The council does not agree that there is any contradiction."
"The structural assessment was carried out to inform the temporary reinforcement works that were subsequently completed at the school. The report concluded that those measures could remain effective for up to five years, subject to ongoing inspection and monitoring, and the council continues to maintain that regime.
"The cabinet report did not claim that the assessment was undertaken after the works or that it was a post-completion certification of the roof. The question is not simply whether the building can continue to operate safely in the short term, but what is in the long-term interests of pupils.
"This was considered by the Schools Adjudicator, who acknowledged the school may remain operational for some time while concluding that the current arrangements should not continue indefinitely. The upcoming consultation process has been established to support that assessment and to ensure that all relevant views and evidence can be considered before cabinet determines the most appropriate way forward."
