Closure Update on PCHS

Update from 22nd May

I am sorry to be ending this term with insufficient clarity to make a decision about where the school will be in September.  I had hoped that by this point we would be further forward but I want to assure you that things are moving forward - just not as fast as you or I would like.

The DfE Technical Advisers are now reviewing all of the investigations so far and look at potential solutions being put forward to repair the building.  This involves visit to site, meetings with engineers investigating from different parties and reviews of outcomes of reports undertaken.  Unfortunately this all takes time and there needs to be an overall consensus to be able to move forward. Our expectation is that by May 30th all reports from different investigations will have been completed and further work  will then be undertaken by DfE Technical Advisers to ensure that the solution to fix the building is agreed and satisfactory to ensure future safety as well as longevity of the building.

This will then give us a clear timescale for any repairs to be carried out as quickly and as safely as possible and to plan for the location of school from September.  I do very much share your views that moving this forward faster would be better for everyone involved but I am also cautious to ensure that the solution is agreed and robust and am grateful for the technical support being provided to the Trust and the school by the DfE.

Thank you to all of you; staff, students, parents and community members for your unwavering support.  The students and staff have been amazing and have got on with working through all the logistics calmly and with real resilience.    I know that Mrs Moore is meeting with local councillors on the Washington site and I hope that they are able to continue the productive relationships we have enjoyed so far with Northumberland County Council.  Prudhoe Community High School is not about politics, it is about people and we continue to ensure that at Cheviot Learning Trust we make decisions based on the best interests of those people, even when this is very difficult.

I hope you all have a good half term break and I know that some staff and students will continue in additional revision sessions over the next week at Highfield Middle.

I will write to you again after half - term.

Yours sincerely,

Alice Witherow

Update from 13th May

Thank you for your continued support and patience in this difficult situation.  I had wanted to be able to give you more certainty in the future plans but investigations and meetings are still ongoing to uncover the root cause of what has happened in the school building.  I can report that we are now assured that the building can be repaired and that a full rebuild will not be necessary, however without a complete understanding of the problem, a plan to fix it remains more difficult.  There are many aspects of the structure that interact and need to be fully understood.  It takes time to build that understanding and we need to be certain that the solution ensures the building is safe for the full life span intended when it was first built.  

There were two meetings regarding this with the Department of Education last week and three this week and at each meeting we press for a return to the Prudhoe site in September.  I hope that this plan can be realised and we have requested that the contingency plan in place for onsite portable classrooms continue to be enacted. 

In the meantime, I appreciate the pressure on both staff and students but I am pleased that examinations are now underway on the Washington site and that this plan is working although I fully understand it is not ideal. Mrs Moore continues to bring pressure to bear on the examination bodies on behalf of the students and I would like to thank her for this work.

I am really am sorry that we are not able to offer more information at this stage and I am disappointed that everything is not moving forward as fast as I would like and certainly not as fast as you would either, however I wanted to offer you as much reassurance as I can that we continue as a Trust and a school to do everything in our power to rectify this situation.

I will come back to you again before the half term holiday with any updates.

Yours sincerely,

Alice Wiitherow

Update from 1st May

I would like to thank those of you who supported the Easter revision sessions held at Highfield.  They were really well attended and I hope students felt the benefit.  Thank you to all the staff who gave up their holiday time to support this.

Like me, I know that you will be desperate to know more about what the plans are for Prudhoe High’s building and I am disappointed to tell you that whilst there are some investigation reports completed we are not yet in a position that gives us a clear understanding of the cause and therefore the solution.

We are however now more hopeful that the problems with the building can be fixed but the details of this are still being worked into a plan that can be operationalised.  I am desperately sorry not to be able to be clearer but I hope over the coming weeks I will be able to share with you what is happening.

We continue to push for a return to the Prudhoe site from September which I think we all agree would be the best outcome, even if the building is still under repair.  Plans for this are dependent on understanding the issues with the school but I want to reassure you that over the Easter holidays different scenarios have been looked at so we are planning as much as we can whilst we wait for the many engineers and building specialists to complete their work.  The Department for Education technical team is also involved in supporting these investigations.

We continue to update the webpage which can be found here with FAQs.

I will write to you again next week with a further update.  I also wish all the students about to commence their exams the very best of luck.  You have been amazing in coping with such pressure.  Mrs Moore and her senior team along with the Trust have been pressing the department for education to influence the exam boards to look at the Prudhoe Community High situation  and account for this.  Mrs Moore can only do this after the examinations are sat but again we are doing all we can to influence this.

Yours sincerely,

Alice Witherow

Update from 9th of April

As you are aware pupils are settling into the college campus building at Washington and whilst we know that this is not ideal, we also are aware that this has been as good a solution as we could have given the exceptional and unexpected circumstances.  I would like to thank staff and students for their determination and resilience in seeing this through.

I wanted to give you an update on the building at Prudhoe Community High School.  Investigations are continuing and the aim is that they will be concluded by the end of this month.  This will then allow a solution to be found which we all hope will see students return to the existing school site.  We are working towards an onsite solution from September and following the conclusion of investigations we will have a clearer idea of what that might be.  Our aim is to have students onsite in portable classrooms if the building is still closed.   At this stage we do not have clarity about what is possible as the investigation involves several potential causes but we are pressing for the solution to limit the amount of time pupils have to spend travelling. After Easter I will update you again.

Thank you all for your ongoing support to the school.  Your messages have been really welcomed.  I hope you manage to get a good break over the holidays.

Yours sincerely, 

Alice Witherow

Update from 25th of March

I am pleased to tell you that the Washington college campus will be ready for the students of Prudhoe Community High School from next week. Students will start to return to face to face learning from Monday March 31st.   You will shortly receive information from the school about the logistics of this start which will include information regarding bus pick up and drop off points, travel arrangements and timings of the school day.

We are grateful for your patience and support throughout this.  Whilst it is great that we are getting students back face to face, I appreciate that the travel will require resilience, reorganisation of morning routines as well as additional time added onto the school day.  We are now working towards a more local solution from September and we will keep you informed as we progress this.

Communications about the building investigations will come out to you when we know more.  Contractors continue to work on understanding the problems that have caused the cracking in the Prudhoe Community High School building.

I hope that the start date brings some relief from what has been a difficult time for students and their families as well as the staff.

Yours sincerely, 

Alice Witherow

Update from 19th of March

This is a brief update on where we are in the relocation of Prudhoe Community High school to the Washington Campus.  We had hoped to have everyone onsite at the start of next week, (24th March) however this is looking less likely due to onsite works completion and legal handovers that are nearly finished but still in process.  I know you will be very disappointed to hear this but we are working through all the issues.  We should know more by Friday and will update you as soon as we can.  

With regards to timings, it is planned that the school day will start with arrival at school at 8.30am and finish at 2.10pm with a shortened break and lunch.  Buses are being organised into routes rather than everyone being picked up in one location.  As you can imagine this is a logistical challenge.  Please bear with us as we work through everything and thanks to those of you who have been in touch regarding routes and children with different home locations.  The school will be sending you further information today answering a lot of logistical questions that I know you have.

Thanks to all of you who have been in touch.  Cheviot Learning Trust and Prudhoe  Community High School are doing their best to return all pupils to face to face learning quickly.  We are working with colleagues in the Dfe and Sunderland college to overcome obstacles to this as fast as we can.  The school has made some further provision for face to face learning for some examination groups which will be sent to you tomorrow.

I can only apologise that we are experiencing a delay which I hope will be very short.  As soon as we have a fixed date I will be in touch with you - there is potential that this will be the end of next week, but may be Monday 31st March.  Please continue to check the webpage for information.  It has been updated and can be found at: https www.cheviotlearningtrust.co.uk/pchs. 

Yours sincerely, 

Alice Witherow 

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.