Cabinet has approved leading construction company BAM as the contractor for the construction of the new Astley High School and Whytrig Middle School. 
 

Leader of the Council, Glen Sanderson, also reaffirmed its commitment to investment in the Coquet and Berwick Partership of schools.  
 

The £50m “super-school” is part of the council’s major investment in school facilities across the county and aims to transform education for young people in the Seaton Valley for generations to come. 
 

Under the plans, the two schools will be rebuilt on a new shared campus to create a state-of-the-art learning environment for over 1,000 students opening in September 2025. 
 

Sports facilities including a fitness studio, swimming pool and 3G pitch will be available for use by the wider community.   
 

Designed by Ryder Architecture, the building will also be the first net zero carbon in operation school in the county - keeping running costs to a minimum so more funding can be invested into teaching and learning. 
 

Following a tender process, Cabinet agreed to delegate approval to award the construction contract to BAM Construction, subject to a final decision by Full Council in February 2024.   
 

Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet member for Inspiring Young People, said: “The designs for this new school are ambitious and innovative and look absolutely fantastic.  
 

“We want all our children in Northumberland to have the best start in life and to grow up well, having everything they need to thrive and reach their full potential.  
 

“This investment in our young people and the wider community will transform education and sports facilities in Seaton Valley for generations to come, bringing wide-ranging benefits to education, health and well-being. 
 

“We’re really pleased to be working with BAM Construction. They are committed to using as many local contractors as possible, which means money invested will be ploughed back into the local economy too.” 
 

Approving the recommended decision, Council Leader, Glen Sanderson, added: “We are all in favour of building this fantastic new school. It is great news for the area and I know so much hard work has gone into this to get us to where we are now. 
 

“Next on the list is Amble and then Berwick.   
 

“It's a big commitment for us as a council, but we believe it is absolutely the right decision for the young people of today and generations to come.” 
 

John Barnes, Executive Headteacher, Seaton Valley Federation, said: “I'm so delighted and absolutely buzzing. It's been a long time and a long process but finally we've got permission to build the school that the community, the parents, the pupils and the staff all deserve. 
 

“We're going to have wonderful facilities for learning and for education, but also great facilities that the community will be able to use.  
 

“It's an exciting time for Seaton Delaval and for the Seaton Valley as well and I can only imagine how excited everybody will be when the school actually opens. It's a fabulous, fabulous day and I'm so, so happy." 
 

Tony Fitzgerald, Construction Director, BAM, one of the country's largest education building contractors, said: “We are really looking forward to working with Northumberland County Council to help deliver this exciting project.  
 

“We are committed to ensuring we make a real positive social and environmental impact within the local community in Seaton Valley and can't wait to get started on turning these plans into reality."