A petition to save the High Borrans Outdoor Education Centre from closure has been launched, gathering hundreds of signatures as the community rallies against North Tyneside Council's decision. The centre, located in the Lake District and owned by the council since 1967, is set to close by November 2026, with the council citing a £3 million maintenance bill and a decline in school attendance.
Petition Details and Public Response
The petition, running until August on the council's website, had amassed over 590 signatures by the time of reporting, just days after its launch on July 30. The Friends of High Borrans charity expressed being "saddened" by the decision and hopes the council will reconsider. The petition statement reads: "The closure of High Borrans represents the loss of an invaluable educational resource, not only for current and future generations of children, but also for the wider community that has supported and benefited from the centre over many decades."
It further emphasizes that the centre's value "cannot be measured simply in financial terms" but by "the lives it has changed, the confidence it has built, the futures it has unlocked." The statement argues that losing High Borrans would mean losing a place that has "quietly changed countless lives for generations."
Community and Expert Reactions
Clare Morely, CEO of health and wellbeing charity Rise, commented: "This is sad news because we know the positive impact that physical activity and movement can play for young people – improving their health, wellbeing and making them better able to learn." She added that giving young people opportunities to move more improves their lives and builds habits that boost communities, particularly in North Tyneside where not all benefit from physical activity. She expressed hope to work with the council to invest in alternative opportunities.
Recent attendance figures show the centre was used by only 1,255 pupils from Years 5 to 8, out of a potential cohort of 9,300. The council stated that children can still access outdoor education through other providers and will support schools in booking alternative sites.
Council's Justification and Future Plans
Rebecca Wall, director of children’s services at North Tyneside Council, said: "The Council has taken the difficult decision to close High Borrans Outdoor Education Centre following a detailed review of its usage, costs and long-term sustainability. We know how valued the centre is and the important role it has played for many years." She cited significant financial pressures faced by councils nationwide, adding: "The level of investment required to maintain and modernise the centre, alongside the ongoing subsidy needed to support each visit, means it is no longer financially viable." The council committed to supporting staff and schools with existing bookings to ensure a "carefully managed transition."
