School build contractors named

CONTRACTORS have been appointed to carry out a raft of improvements to schools in the Amble partnership.

The upgrades to feeder primary schools in Amble are being made ahead of the construction of a new “super school” for the area, replacing the existing buildings at James Calvert Spence College. The partnership is moving from a three-tier to a two-tier system after a long consultation with stakeholders.

Extensions will be built at Grange View C of E, Red Row, Broomhill and Amble Links first schools to convert them into primary schools. The site of the former Amble Middle School, known as the South Avenue Site, will also be refurbished to allow for the relocation of Amble First School and the creation of new, specialist provision that will be known as Barndale by The Sea – a satellite site of Barndale House School in Alnwick.

A report presented at Tuesday’s meeting of Northumberland County Council’s cabinet recommended councillors delegate the decision to appoint Robertson’s Construction as contractors for the refurbishment of the South Avenue Site to the executive director for education. Meanwhile, Portakabin were the recommended appointment for the extensions at the feeder first schools.

Speaking at the meeting, Amble West with Warkworth councillor Jeff Watson welcomed the move closer to the town’s new high school buildings.

He said: “This is a wonderful thing for Amble, something we have been talking about for a number of years. It has been a difficult process – Covid slowed things down.

“I’m really delighted that we have got as far as we have got now and I’m looking forward to seeing this completed. I’m hoping we have a community school for Amble, which as a town doesn’t really have anything else.”