Latest news with #Prudhoe
BBC News
13-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Prudhoe Community High School may reopen in September
A school which was closed due to safety concerns will reopen in the autumn term, its academy trust has Community High School in Northumberland was shut in February after cracks were found in the first floor of the building, which is less than 10 years then, pupils have been taught at Sunderland College's Washington Campus - 16 miles (25.7km) away from their Learning Trust's CEO Alice Witherow said "the best case scenario" could see pupils return by September, but warned parents the situation could drag out until Christmas. "The precise time frame is still emerging so we are planning for both possibilities," Ms Witherow said."As a relatively new school, the building is under warranty and the original builders, as part of their contract, have the right to repair the building under that warranty."Following investigations by different parties, the builders have given assurance that they have the capacity and workforce to undertake any remediations required. This means that the building can be reopened in the autumn term." 'Stress for families' The school was built in 2016 at a cost of £14.6m under the previous Conservative government's priority school building programme (PSBP).An investigation is under way into the damage but an exact cause has yet to be Witherow said the building's concrete and steel frame had "performed in a way that was not expected", which caused cracks to appear on the first school will only be reopened once Department for Education technical advisors deem the building safe, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Hexham MP Joe Morris said he had been inspired by school staff who had "worked at pace to minimise disruption to learning". "I also want to recognise the stress this has caused the families and carers of those studying at Prudhoe Community High School and, most of all, the hard work of the students," he said."Relocation while studying has caused immense stress to those students, and we should all recognise and celebrate their accomplishments." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Prudhoe High School safety report due 'imminently'
Investigations into damage that forced a school to close are said to be nearing are working to determine the cause of cracks that appeared in the structure of Prudhoe High School, in Northumberland, in building, which opened in 2016, has been closed for almost four months with pupils being taught 16 miles (25kms) away at Washington, near Cheviot Learning Trust academy chain, which runs the school, said the completion of tests was "imminent", adding: "We will then be able to update on how the building can be repaired." It said it would then allow plans to be formulated for September and government said it hoped to return pupils to the site as soon as possible.A Department for Education (DfE) spokeswoman said: "We have worked closely with Prudhoe Community High School and the Cheviot Learning Trust to return students to face-to-face learning at the earliest opportunity."We are continuing to work with the school and the trust in next steps." Wait 'too long' Prudhoe Community High School cost £14.6m under the previous Conservative government's priority school building programme (PSBP).Tory councillor Guy Renner-Thompson, cabinet member for education at Northumberland County Council, said the DfE "needs to release the detailed report on the condition of the building" as soon as possible."The school building is still under warranty. It shouldn't cost the taxpayer anything to put right," he said."Parents and the council have waited too long for further information about the school."Renner-Thompson also said he continued to believe a site formerly used as Hexham Middle School was a more suitable solution than sending children to Washington and back on buses each council has said it offered the building to the DfE as an alternative but was turned middle school on Wanless Lane closed in 2021. It is 10 miles (16kms) from Prudhoe and benefits from existing transport links, according to Local Democracy Reporting DfS has not commented on reports it was offered the site. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
The Sun
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Inside popular 90s Waterworld as it finally opens after £1.6million upgrade with wave machine and slide
THE popular 1990s Waterworld with a wave machine and water slide is finally open after a £1.6million upgrade. With another bank holiday weekend, many of us are well and truly getting into the summer spirit. 3 3 And what better way to plan for long summer days than by taking a family trip to the swimming pool. Prudhoe Waterworld, was originally opened in 1990 by Northumberland County Council but following its major refurbishment - it's looking better than ever. And best of all, it's open just in time for the half term school holidays. The new wet changing area has updated showers, toilets, changing cubicles and lockers. And for after your swim, there is now a vanity area with new lighting. The exit from the water flume has also been improved and the main footpath into the centre has been widened to allow more access. A new external ramp has also been added to also improve accessibility to the building so as to ensure inclusion. The work which started last October saw the pool drained so that minor repair work could be carried out. But now that a deep-clean is complete, the pool has been refilled ahead of the reopening. Managed by Places Leisure on behalf of the council, the centre features the refurbished main pool, a wave pool, gym, fitness studio, soft play, and a café. New £4million lido to open in UK next year The rest of the facility has remained open while the work was taking place and Centre Manager Richard Anderson is looking forward to welcoming customers back into the water reports ChronicleLive. He said: "Following the completion of the extensive refurbishment. "Final checks have now been made to ensure the swimming pool is in perfect condition to welcome back swimmers. "The centre has had a great refresh and upgrade and is looking absolutely fantastic and I am sure it will be enjoyed by our customers old and new." In a statement on its website, Places Leisure shared the following important information: "We are very happy to announce that we will be reopening the pool from Monday May 19. "We thank you for your continued patience during the ongoing refurbishment work, we look forward to sharing the improvements with you." Elsewhere, an Art deco swimming pool in the UK with rare Victorian baths has been named one of the best in the world. There is also a Victorian bathhouse which has been turned into a leisure attraction and will soon complete a £71million makeover with a new pool and spaces. It's not the only art deco spa in England, "London's oldest" with Turkish baths, with an indoor pool and affordable day passes, is open in Queensway. 3
