Closure Update on PCHS

Update from 13th of March

Cheviot Learning Trust is pleased to share an update regarding the ongoing efforts to secure a temporary site for Prudhoe Community High School students following recent building safety concerns.

The high school will be using Sunderland College’s Washington campus for the foreseeable future, subject to final board ratification and legal agreements. The building will be solely for the use of Prudhoe Community High School students. 

Another school has recently used this building during a period of RAAC mitigation, so all entities know that it will work for school use. In addition, this building was purpose-built for educational purposes. It has specialist facilities that the school requires, including kitchens and spaces to hold examinations. 

Additional details and logistics, including travel, are still being worked out. Cheviot can confirm that students will be bussed from Prudhoe to the college and back again, and everyone will be entitled to a space on these buses. 

"Our team is working tirelessly to ensure a smooth transition for our students," CEO of Cheviot Learning Trust, Alice Witherow, says, "We are grateful to Sunderland College for their collaboration and support in making this solution possible."

CEO of Education Partnership North East, Ellen Thinneson said, “Sunderland College is committed to supporting partners and serving communities in our region. We are very pleased to be able to provide assistance to Prudhoe Community High School and Cheviot Learning Trust.”

Parents are meeting with Cheviot Learning Trust today, and are being directed to a webpage on the Cheviot website where all frequently asked questions can be answered. 

 Witherow also expresses her gratitude to the community during this time, “Behind the scenes the DfE have been working with us and supporting us, Northumberland County Council officers have been working with us on logistics and many schools across the North East have reached out to us.  We have received many messages of support from parents and the wider community which has been a real lift for all of us involved. It is a real team effort and we are really grateful for your support.”

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Update from 7th of March

Cheviot Learning Trust is pleased to share an update regarding the ongoing efforts to secure a temporary site for Prudhoe Community High School students following recent building safety concerns.

“We have completed all options appraisals and are pleased to inform you that we believe we have a solution for a site that will take Prudhoe High School students but we are still finalising contracts with the other party,” said Alice Witherow, CEO of Cheviot Learning Trust, “I know that this is frustrating but the other party has asked us not to release information at this point until all legal and safety issues are formalised.  I am very hopeful however that this is a good interim solution and I hope to be able to further update you early next week.”

This new location does require travel arrangements to be made, and the organisation of this is underway with support from Northumberland County Council’s transport services.

“In arriving at this solution, we considered various other options, such as an old middle school building, empty office space in Newcastle, and local commercial properties,” explained Witherow. “Unfortunately, none of these could accommodate all students, be ready quickly, or provide the necessary educational environment without significant adaptations.”

The Trust also continues to explore the possibility of installing portable classrooms onsite as a longer-term option. However, this option requires more time due to ongoing structural investigations and advice from surveyors regarding land movement beneath the school building.

“We understand how frustrating this situation is, but please be assured that everyone is working flat out to implement a face-to-face learning solution as quickly as possible,” said Witherow. “This includes logistical preparations such as bus hire, utility setup, and IT services.”

Parents will be invited to a meeting to hear the latest updates, timescales, and logistical arrangements, with an opportunity to ask questions. The Trust has also established a dedicated webpage with FAQs and regular updates: www.cheviotlearningtrust.co.uk/pchs.

Online live lessons will continue next week for the school whilst the details of the new solution are getting sorted. 

Witherow also praised the dedication of staff and students during this challenging time. “Staff have told me they are really impressed with the resilience of the students – it is great to hear these positive stories. I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who is making this possible. The support from parents, the local community, and partners such as the Department for Education and Northumberland County Council has been invaluable.”

Cheviot Learning Trust remains committed to ensuring that students’ education and wellbeing are prioritised during this transition and will continue to provide regular updates as plans progress.

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Update from 2nd of March

Cheviot Learning Trust has provided an update to parents and the wider community as students and staff continue online learning following the temporary closure of Prudhoe Community High School building due to safety concerns.

The school has provided outlined support and technology needed for students to continue their learning from home until a new solution is found for students to return to face-to-face learning.

During the half-term break, the school has been working closely with colleagues from the Department for Education (DfE) and the Local Authority to develop solutions for the return to face-to-face learning. Discussions are underway to identify suitable temporary sites, with considerations around travel, site security, safeguarding, and accessibility playing a key role in decision-making.

"We are narrowing our options and hope to share our plans by the end of the week. The support from DfE and Local Authority colleagues has been invaluable in helping us move as quickly as possible,"  Witherow added. 

Cheviot Learning Trust has reassured that exam year groups will be prioritised in both short and long-term solutions. Parent meetings are planned for next week, alongside regular weekly written updates.

CEO Alice Witherow expressed gratitude to families for their ongoing adaptability and support during this period. "We know that this situation is less than ideal, and we are incredibly thankful to our families for making significant adjustments. The new technology the school is utilising aims to make this transition as smooth as possible," said Witherow.

Witherow also praised the outpouring of support from the wider Prudhoe community. "We have been overwhelmed by offers of help, support, space, and kind thoughts. Prudhoe should be rightly proud of this incredible community response. Your positivity and commitment to getting through this together is a brilliant example to others. Thank you so much for your commitment to the school."

There are currently no further updates on the school building itself. Engineers, in consultation with the Department for Education's technical team, continue to investigate, with the building deemed unsafe and stringent safety measures in place to prevent access.

For further information or support, families are encouraged to contact the school directly via email.

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Update from Feb 21

Following a meeting this morning with structural engineers, CEO Alice Witherow announces that Prudhoe Community High School will remain closed for the foreseeable future. 

Structural engineers and specialists have been conducting investigations since a floor crack was identified on the upper floor on February 10, 2025. Further assessments since then have determined the building is not safe to continue operating and needs to remain closed.

“Along with all my colleagues, I am deeply saddened to bring you this news,” said CEO Alice Witherow, “I understand the anxiety this situation causes, especially for parents, students, and staff, and particularly for those in their GCSE and A-level examination years.”

Efforts are underway to return students to face-to-face learning as soon as possible. The school is exploring several options, including:

• Relocating to another site

• Partial relocation for specific year groups

• Constructing temporary mobile classrooms

The Department for Education and Local Authority are actively working with the school to assess these options during the upcoming half-term holiday. 

In the interim, lessons will be delivered online, and the school will provide additional details to parents and students regarding remote learning plans.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the parents, staff, and community members for their continued support during this challenging time,” added Alice Witherow. “The safety of our pupils and staff is our top priority, and while this situation is difficult, I am confident in the strength of our school community to navigate through it.”

CEO Witherow also apologised to parents for the timing of this announcement, coinciding with the start of half-term. The CEO plans to hold meetings after the half-term break to share updates and address any questions to parents and families from the school. If anyone has any questions, they are encouraged to email info@cheviotlt.co.uk.