Plans to expand first schools in North Northumberland into primary schools are taking shape as part of a £50m investment by Northumberland County Council.  
 

The Council has approved statutory proposals to restructure schools within the Berwick Partnership to a primary and secondary model from September 2025.  
 

Following the design stage of the first school expansion project – Cabinet have committed a revised budget of £8.207m - an increase of £2.430m and bringing the total investment into the partnership to £50.225m. 
 

Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet member for Inspiring Young People, said: “We want to ensure the right and best education for all our children in Northumberland and this is just the latest part of the wider development of our school estate across the county. 
 

“It involves schools across North Northumberland, from Wooler to Belford to Berwick and will not only expand our first schools but create more places for children with additional needs closer to home.” 

The Council has appointed technical advisors to support in developing and delivering the plans for the schools.
 

Architects have created a series of designs for the first schools and a new state-of-the-art Family Hub facility at the new Wooler Primary School. 

 

The procurement of contractors is also underway and planning applications have started to be submitted. 

 

Next steps include expanding specialist provision including a new SEN Unit at the site of Berwick St Mary’s Church of England First School with 30 places for children diagnosed with special educational needs, primarily those with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH), Speech Language and Communication (SLCN) and Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) with effect from 1 September 2025.   
 

An outline business case for the project to develop the Berwick Academy buildings will be brought to Cabinet for approval in the near future. 

It is the latest project in the Council’s largest ever capital programme; transforming education and learning facilities for young people now and for generations to come.   
 

Students are already enjoying new and improved facilities at Haydon Bridge High School, Ponteland High School, Hexham’s Queen Elizabeth High School and Emily Wilding Davison School in Ponteland.  
 

Projects are now underway to refurbish and rebuild schools in the Coquet, Seaton Valley and Berwick partnerships of schools, which will include state-of-the art new high schools as well as investment in primary schools, specialist, post-16 skills and post-18 provision.
 

Funding is also being channeled into remodeling and refurbishment projects across the county – from new modular buildings to general school improvements. 
 

The investment in the Berwick Partnership of Schools is the latest in a number of major investments in the area, including a multi-million pound scheme to redevelop the Maltings venue in Berwick, along with a new £23m leisure centre and a £4.2million project to create a thriving cultural hub at Berwick Barracks. 
 

In Wooler, the £16m Ad Gefrin distillery has led to a huge increase in visitor numbers to the local area.