A petition to save the council-owned High Borrans Outdoor Education Centre has amassed over 2,000 signatures as pressure builds for the local authority to stop its closure. At the time of publication, 2,033 people have signed a petition calling on North Tyneside Council to preserve its Cumbria-based outdoor education facility.
Council Decision Sparks Outcry
The council has historically maintained that the centre, scheduled for closure this November, is no longer viable due to a reported decline in the number of school groups attending and the need for £3.4m to keep it compliant. However, the move has generated public and political outcry since the announcement on June 30. Chronicle readers commented in their hundreds. Local Conservative councillors have also registered a motion for discussion at the next full council, calling on the ruling Labour administration to reverse its decision.
Council Responds to Petition
A spokesperson for North Tyneside Council said: “We are aware that the petition regarding High Borrans has now attracted more than 2,000 signatures. We recognise the strength of feeling that exists about the centre and appreciate everyone who has taken the time to share their views and experiences. The petition remains open until 11 August. Once it has closed, the signatures will be checked to ensure signatories live, work or study within the area. Following this process, we will contact the lead petitioner and make arrangements for the petition to be formally presented to Full Council.”
Background on Closure Decision
North Tyneside Council has previously provided some clarity on how and why the decision to close High Borrans was made. The report on the prospect of closing High Borrans was treated as exempt or not available for public view because it included sensitive information and details about staff. Officers were on site to speak with colleagues, answer questions and offer support once the decision was made. High Borrans is a non-statutory, contracted service. Schools choose whether to use the centre, and in recent years, many have opted for alternative providers. Fewer than half of North Tyneside schools now use High Borrans, leading the local authority to determine the centre was no longer financially viable. Recent attendance figures indicated the centre had been used by 1,255 pupils from Years 5 to 8, out of a potential cohort of 9,300. The local authority also maintains that children still have access to outdoor education through other providers that schools already use.
Official Statement on Financial Pressures
In a previous comment issued to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, 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. However, like councils across the country, we are facing significant financial pressures. 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.”
