An archival photograph of Hazlewood Community Primary School in Wideopen, where campaigners are opposing renewed proposals to close the school. Photograph: Christopher Down / Wikimedia Commons
Parents and campaigners are fighting to save Hazlewood Community Primary School in Wideopen after North Tyneside Council launched a second consultation on its future, just months after an independent adjudicator rejected an earlier closure and merger proposal. With the school situated close to Newcastle Great Park, the outcome could also matter to local families considering primary school places outside the development.
A campaign to save a much-loved primary school near Newcastle Great Park is gathering support as families face renewed uncertainty about its future.
Hazlewood Community Primary School, situated on Canterbury Way in Wideopen, is facing a proposal that could see it close in September 2028.
North Tyneside Council says significant structural problems with the main school building, combined with the absence of funding for a permanent solution, mean the current arrangements cannot continue indefinitely.
But parents and supporters of the Save Hazlewood Community Primary School campaign are questioning the evidence behind the proposal and calling for alternatives to closure to be fully explored.
They argue that the school is an important part of the Wideopen community, offering a nurturing environment for hundreds of children.
The campaign has attracted substantial public support, with its online petition receiving more than 1,800 signatures.
And although Hazlewood falls within North Tyneside rather than Newcastle City Council's area, the issue could be relevant to families living in Newcastle Great Park.
Residents are able to apply for schools across local authority boundaries, including Hazlewood, subject to the usual admissions arrangements.
For families considering primary education in Great Park and surrounding neighbourhoods, the possible loss of a nearby school is therefore an issue worth understanding.
What is happening at Hazlewood Primary School?
North Tyneside Council is currently consulting on a proposal to close Hazlewood Community Primary School from September 2028.
If the proposal proceeds, the school would stop admitting new Reception pupils from September 2027.
Existing pupils would continue to attend while arrangements were developed for the school's eventual closure.
However, the Council has emphasised that no final decision has been made.
The current consultation is a preliminary stage intended to gather the views of families, school staff, governors, residents and other interested parties.
It follows a previous attempt to close Hazlewood and merge it with nearby Greenfields Primary School.
That earlier proposal was rejected by the Office of the Schools Adjudicator in June 2026.
Despite that decision, the future of Hazlewood remains unresolved.
On 5 October 2026, North Tyneside Council's Cabinet authorised a fresh consultation, this time on the closure of Hazlewood as a separate school rather than the earlier merger arrangement.
The move has prompted renewed objections from parents who believed the summer's adjudicator decision might provide an opportunity to secure the school's long-term future.
Why is this relevant to Newcastle Great Park?
Hazlewood Community Primary School is located in Wideopen, a neighbouring community to Newcastle Great Park.
While the two areas fall under different local authorities, geographical boundaries do not necessarily determine which school a child can attend.
Families living in Newcastle Great Park can express a preference for a school in North Tyneside through the school admissions process.
This means Hazlewood may be an option for local parents considering schools outside Great Park itself.
That could include families whose preferred local school is oversubscribed, those who already have family connections to Hazlewood or parents who consider the school suitable for their child's individual needs.
However, school places are not allocated automatically simply because a family lives nearby.
Each school has its own admissions arrangements, and places are offered according to the applicable criteria when there are more applicants than available places.
The Great Park Gazette has not independently established how many Great Park children currently attend Hazlewood or whether any were offered places there because their preferred Great Park schools were full.
Nevertheless, the possible closure could reduce the range of schools available to families across the wider NE13 area.
It also raises broader questions about how neighbouring councils account for pupils who cross local authority boundaries when planning future school provision.
For residents deciding where to apply for a Reception place in September 2027, the timing of the consultation is particularly significant.
A school community facing uncertainty since 2024
The current dispute has its origins in serious problems affecting Hazlewood's main school building.
In 2024, structural concerns were identified involving concrete blocks used in the construction of the school.
According to North Tyneside Council, investigations found that some of the concrete blocks were weak and had developed cracks.
The affected construction is described as hollow concrete block and plank, a method used when parts of the school were built during the 1960s.
The concerns led to restrictions on the use of parts of the main building.
Temporary modular accommodation was subsequently provided so that pupils could continue their education on the school site.
Remedial works were also carried out to allow certain facilities, including the hall and kitchen, to be used again.
The Council says these measures have allowed education to continue safely but do not provide a permanent solution.
For children, parents and staff, however, the consequences have extended beyond changes to the physical school environment.
Families have faced uncertainty about the school's future, while staff have continued teaching amid concerns about their workplace and employment.
Supporters of the Save Hazlewood campaign say the repeated proposals have placed a considerable emotional burden on the school community.
They argue that children need stability, particularly during their primary school years, and that the ongoing uncertainty is itself causing harm.
First closure plan rejected in June 2026
The campaign achieved a significant victory earlier this year.
In January 2026, North Tyneside Council decided to proceed with a proposal to close Hazlewood and merge it with Greenfields Primary School.
The plan faced opposition from parents who questioned whether the merger was necessary and whether other solutions had been properly considered.
However, the proposal was referred to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator, which issued its determination on 30 June 2026.
The adjudicator did not approve the proposed merger and closure arrangement.
The decision was welcomed by Hazlewood families, with parents publicly celebrating the outcome.
For campaigners, it demonstrated that challenging a council decision could make a difference.
But the adjudicator's ruling did not establish that Hazlewood could continue indefinitely without substantial investment.
The determination also recognised the serious building problems and the need to establish a sustainable long-term solution.
It acknowledged that the existing accommodation could continue to be used for a period, while warning against relying on the temporary arrangements indefinitely.
This distinction is central to the latest dispute.
The previous proposal was rejected, but the wider question of how to secure Hazlewood's future was not resolved.
Why does North Tyneside Council want to close the school?
North Tyneside Council says its central concern is the condition of the school building and the lack of funding for a permanent replacement.
The authority estimates that a new school building would cost approximately £7 million.
It says it has explored potential government funding but has not secured the investment required.
The Council also points to falling birth rates and the availability of places at neighbouring schools.
Its assessment is that there is sufficient capacity in the surrounding area to accommodate children who would be affected by a closure.
The authority argues that continuing to rely on temporary buildings and limited repairs creates uncertainty for pupils, families and staff.
It says the current proposal is intended to find a sustainable long-term arrangement.
Council representatives have acknowledged the concerns raised by families and maintain that the consultation provides an opportunity for all interested parties to examine the evidence and present alternative views.
Cabinet member for education Councillor Tracy Hallway acknowledged the emotional significance of the school at the October meeting, recognising that Hazlewood represents much more to families than its buildings alone.
The Council has also confirmed that no final closure decision has been taken.
Why are parents fighting to save Hazlewood?
Campaigners believe closing the school would mean losing far more than a building.
They describe Hazlewood as a close-knit community where children know their teachers, families support one another and pupils benefit from a familiar environment.
The campaign's Change.org petition describes the school as a central part of Wideopen life.
Its supporters argue that closure would disrupt relationships built over many years and remove a valuable educational facility from the community.
They also question whether rebuilding, further investment or alternative forms of school organisation have been explored sufficiently.
A central message of the campaign is that the existence of serious building problems should prompt greater efforts to secure a long-term solution, rather than automatically lead to closure.
The campaign is using social media, an online petition, correspondence and fundraising to build support.
Supporters have also raised concerns about the accuracy and completeness of some of the evidence being used to justify the Council's plans.
Those concerns deserve consideration, although several claims remain disputed or require additional documentation.
Campaigners challenge the Council's evidence
The Save Hazlewood campaign has circulated detailed points for residents who wish to respond to the consultation.
These raise questions about building safety, rebuilding funding, pupil numbers, educational performance and the effect of closure on the community.
Questions about the school building
Campaigners have questioned the Council's reliance on an anticipated five-year lifespan for repairs to the hall and kitchen.
They argue that more recent independent evidence should be made available to establish how long the repaired facilities can safely remain in use.
The Council's consultation FAQ explains that profiled metal decking was installed beneath affected concrete to support damaged blocks.
It says the method was identified as a temporary solution, with ongoing inspections required and a recommended period of use of up to five years.
The Council also acknowledges that the structural report was prepared before the remedial works were completed.
Campaigners want the condition of the completed works to be assessed transparently.
Their wider concern is that residents should be able to understand precisely which parts of the building require replacement, which can remain in use safely and what alternative repair options would cost.
There is a legitimate distinction between a temporary repair remaining safe for some years and that repair providing a permanent solution.
Any longer-term proposal would need to address both questions.
Questions about future pupil numbers
The Council says falling birth rates mean fewer children are expected to require school places across North Tyneside.
It argues that neighbouring schools have enough capacity to meet the likely demand.
Campaigners question whether the projections adequately reflect planned residential development around Wideopen.
Their consultation material refers to proposals involving more than 500 additional homes within the wider school catchment area.
They argue that future housing growth should be fully reflected in school-place planning.
The Council's own earlier consultation guidance noted that, on average, every 100 new homes may generate approximately 32 pupils across all school-age year groups, rather than 32 new primary school pupils.
The existence of proposed housing developments does not by itself establish how many additional primary school places will be required in any particular year.
However, the campaign's concerns highlight the importance of publishing clear assumptions about new housing, school catchments and future demand.
For Great Park families, this is an issue with wider relevance.
Rapidly developing residential areas can experience very different pressures from established neighbourhoods, even when overall birth rates are falling across a local authority.
It is therefore reasonable to ask how the projections account for movement between Newcastle and North Tyneside as well as the development of new homes.
Questions about the school's finances
Campaigners have also challenged descriptions of Hazlewood's financial position.
Their consultation material disputes suggestions that the school is operating at a deficit and argues that financial information should be presented accurately.
However, the Great Park Gazette has not independently verified the school's latest financial position or reconciled the different financial claims.
It is also important to distinguish between a school's ordinary operating budget and the capital funding needed to rebuild a building.
Even a school with a balanced budget or operating surplus may not have the resources required for a multimillion-pound rebuilding project.
For residents considering the consultation, the more useful question is whether the Council has published a sufficiently detailed comparison of the available options and their costs.
Is Hazlewood performing well academically?
Campaigners have highlighted the school's educational results as a reason to preserve it.
Hazlewood's own published data provides evidence of strong performance in several areas.
In 2025, the school reported that:
70% of Year 6 pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with 61% nationally.
90% achieved the expected standard in writing, compared with 75% nationally.
83% achieved the expected standard in maths, compared with 74% nationally.
98% of Year 1 pupils met the phonics screening standard, compared with 80% nationally.
The school also reported that 79% achieved the combined reading, writing and maths standard in 2024.
These figures demonstrate achievements that campaigners are understandably keen to protect.
Hazlewood is also currently rated Good by Ofsted, following its March 2023 inspection.
The campaign has circulated a higher combined attainment figure for 2026, but that figure has not yet been independently verified by the Gazette against a published official school performance record.
It would also be wrong to conclude that academic performance alone settles the closure question.
The Council must consider the condition of the buildings, future school-place requirements and the availability of suitable alternatives.
Nevertheless, the educational outcomes achieved by Hazlewood's staff and pupils are highly relevant when evaluating the effect of losing the school.
The dispute over government rebuilding funding
Another major disagreement concerns the Government's School Rebuilding Programme.
Campaigners want clearer answers about what steps were taken to secure government assistance for Hazlewood.
North Tyneside Council says it did not submit a nomination in the recent round because a decision had already been made to pursue closure and merger.
Its published FAQ also states that the governing body was offered an opportunity to submit a nomination.
The campaign has disputed where responsibility for applying should rest.
However, the Department for Education's February 2026 guidance states that nominations could be made by eligible responsible bodies, including local authorities, academy trusts and governing bodies, depending on their responsibilities.
It would therefore be inaccurate to say that governing bodies could never be eligible to nominate a school.
The more important questions are whether Hazlewood's governing body was an eligible responsible body under the specific arrangements, what information and support were provided, and whether a viable nomination could realistically have been made within the relevant deadline.
The 2026 nomination round has now closed.
Campaigners are asking for greater transparency over the funding opportunities considered, the decisions made and whether other options remain available.
Given the estimated £7 million replacement cost, the answers could be central to the school's future.
Could Hazlewood join an academy trust?
Another possibility discussed during the earlier consultation was whether Hazlewood could join a multi-academy trust.
The Council says this option was explored but did not result in an agreement.
It acknowledges that joining a trust remains a potential route, although any proposal would need to be assessed by the trust and receive the necessary approvals.
A trust would have to consider the condition of the school estate, financial liabilities, pupil numbers and other factors.
Academisation would not automatically produce £7 million of funding or remove the structural problems.
Nevertheless, campaigners want to see evidence that realistic alternatives to closure have been fully investigated.
What about children with special educational needs?
The possible closure could be especially concerning for families whose children have special educational needs or disabilities.
For some pupils, familiar surroundings, established relationships and consistent routines are particularly important.
A change of school may require detailed planning to ensure that educational provision continues appropriately.
North Tyneside Council says that, if closure proceeds, its SEND service would work with affected families to explore suitable alternative schools.
The authority says children with Education, Health and Care Plans would continue to receive the support to which they are entitled.
However, parents are entitled to ask how any proposed transfers would be managed, what support would be available and whether an alternative setting could meet their child's individual needs.
The Council lists the following telephone number for families wishing to contact its SEND Support Service:
0191 643 8684
No closure decision has been made, so families should not assume that their child will be required to move schools at this stage.
Could the campaign take legal action?
The Save Hazlewood campaign has attracted significant attention following the renewed closure consultation.
Supporters have discussed legal options and are raising funds to support their campaign.
Recent local media coverage has also reported plans among campaigners to pursue legal action over the proposed closure process.
However, there is an important distinction between obtaining legal advice, preparing a challenge and issuing formal court proceedings.
The Gazette has not independently confirmed that a new legal claim concerning the October 2026 consultation has been issued or accepted by a court.
Residents following the campaign should therefore look for confirmed updates from the organisers about the precise status of any legal proceedings.
The Office of the Schools Adjudicator's decision in June 2026 remains a significant part of the campaign's history, but it does not automatically prevent the Council from considering a different proposal through a lawful consultation process.
The central question now is whether a final decision, if one is eventually made, is properly supported by evidence and reached through the required procedures.
How can Great Park residents have their say?
North Tyneside Council has opened its official consultation to parents, school staff, governors, residents and other interested parties.
The deadline is midnight on Thursday 26 November 2026.
The Council says respondents must register through its consultation platform before submitting the online survey.
You do not need to be the parent of a child at Hazlewood to read the proposals and submit relevant feedback.
Residents who are concerned about school places, the potential impact on surrounding communities or the future of primary education in the area can explain their views.
Official North Tyneside Council consultation:
https://haveyoursay.northtyneside.gov.uk/proposal-to-close-hazelwood-primary-school
The Council advises respondents to read the supporting information before submitting their response.
When commenting, it may be useful to explain how the proposal could affect your family, what evidence you believe requires further consideration or what alternative arrangements you think should be assessed.
Responses do not need to support the campaign to be valid.
Residents can support closure, oppose it or raise questions about particular aspects of the proposal.
How to support the Save Hazlewood campaign
The Save Hazlewood Community Primary School campaign has established several ways for people to find information and show support.
Follow the campaign on Facebook
Organisers use their Facebook page to share updates, explain concerns and encourage participation in the consultation.
Save Hazlewood Community Primary School – Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/p/Save-Hazlewood-Community-Primary-School-61581934533431/
Sign the petition
An online petition calling for the school to remain open has attracted more than 1,800 signatures.
Save Hazlewood Community Primary School – Change.org
https://www.change.org/p/save-hazlewood-community-primary-school
Contact the campaign
People wishing to speak directly to the organisers can use the email address published in their campaign information:
savehazlewoodschool@outlook.com
Find the campaign's links and fundraising information
Campaigners have also brought together their petition, council consultation, social media and fundraising links on one page.
Save Hazlewood campaign links:
https://solo.to/savehazlewoodschool
Residents considering making a donation should read the current fundraising information, including the intended use of funds and any terms applying to donations.
What happens after the consultation closes?
According to North Tyneside Council's published information, the next stage will depend on the responses received.
Following the closure of the consultation on 26 November 2026, the Council expects to decide in early December whether to proceed with formal closure proposals.
If it decides to continue, a statutory consultation would follow.
The Council says a final decision would then be likely in early 2027.
This means the current consultation is an important opportunity for families and residents to influence the process before any final determination is made.
Hazlewood is not currently confirmed to close in September 2028. That remains the proposed date.
Parents considering Reception applications should also note that Newcastle City Council's general deadline for September 2027 Reception applications is 15 January 2027.
The North Tyneside consultation FAQ states that applications for Hazlewood can continue while the consultation is under way.
However, the proposed changes to admissions could become relevant if the closure process progresses.
Families should therefore monitor both council websites for confirmed updates.
What should Great Park parents do if they're considering Hazlewood?
Parents living in Newcastle Great Park who are considering a place at Hazlewood should not assume that being outside North Tyneside prevents them from applying.
For normal Reception applications, families generally submit their preferences to the local authority where they live.
That means residents living within Newcastle City Council's area should apply through Newcastle's admissions system, even if one of their preferred schools is in North Tyneside.
Applications are then coordinated between the relevant authorities.
A preference does not guarantee a place, and individual schools may be oversubscribed.
Residents can find application guidance here:
Newcastle City Council – Reception admissions
For questions about Hazlewood itself, the school's contact information is:
Hazlewood Community Primary School
Canterbury Way, Wideopen, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE13 6JJ
Telephone: 0191 917 8545
Website: https://hazlewoodprimary.co.uk/
Families with concerns about the proposed closure should also respond to the North Tyneside consultation rather than assuming that an admissions application counts as a consultation response.
The questions that still need answering
The Great Park Gazette believes the debate would benefit from more detailed public information about the practical alternatives and their likely consequences.
Several questions remain particularly important.
Could Hazlewood be repaired rather than replaced?
Residents need to understand the cost, expected lifespan and limitations of any proposed long-term engineering solution.
Has every realistic funding opportunity been explored?
The Council and campaigners have different accounts of the rebuilding nomination process. Publishing a clear chronology could help resolve the disagreement.
How have future housing developments been included in pupil forecasts?
The figures should explain the assumptions about birth rates, new homes, migration and pupils attending schools across council boundaries.
What would closure mean for current pupils?
Parents need clarity about the schools children might attend, whether friends and siblings could remain together, the likely journeys involved and how additional needs would be supported.
What would happen to the school site?
The Council says there are no plans to sell the land for housing as part of the current proposal. Any future change of use would be a separate issue requiring the appropriate approvals.
What are the full financial implications of closure compared with rebuilding?
A meaningful comparison should account for the costs of alternative provision, changes to neighbouring schools and other relevant expenditure, not simply the headline £7 million rebuild estimate.
These questions do not remove the seriousness of Hazlewood's building problems.
They are important because decisions affecting an entire school community should be based on evidence that families can understand and scrutinise.
A community determined to be heard
For the families involved in the Save Hazlewood campaign, the past two years have brought repeated uncertainty.
The discovery of serious building problems, the move into temporary accommodation, the first closure and merger proposal, the adjudicator's rejection and now the renewed consultation have all affected the school community.
North Tyneside Council argues that it must find a sustainable answer to buildings that cannot be relied upon indefinitely.
Parents and campaigners argue that closing an established, well-regarded school should not be accepted until every credible alternative has been properly explored.
Those positions are not necessarily incompatible in their underlying objective.
Both sides say they want children to receive a safe, stable and high-quality education.
The unresolved question is whether that can be achieved by retaining Hazlewood or whether an alternative arrangement will ultimately be necessary.
For families living in Wideopen, Newcastle Great Park and surrounding neighbourhoods, the outcome could shape the educational choices available in the years ahead.
Have your say before 26 November
With the consultation now open, residents have an opportunity to examine the proposals and make their views known.
The Great Park Gazette encourages families who may be affected to read the official documents and respond before the deadline.
Whether you support the Save Hazlewood campaign, agree with the Council's concerns or believe further alternatives should be investigated, the consultation provides an opportunity to explain why.
Council consultation deadline: Thursday 26 November 2026.
Respond here:
https://haveyoursay.northtyneside.gov.uk/proposal-to-close-hazelwood-primary-school
Follow the Save Hazlewood campaign:
https://www.facebook.com/p/Save-Hazlewood-Community-Primary-School-61581934533431/
Sign the petition:
https://www.change.org/p/save-hazlewood-community-primary-school
The Great Park Gazette will continue to follow the campaign and the Council's decisions as the consultation progresses.
Great Park residents – we want your views
Do you have children who attend Hazlewood Community Primary School?
Have you considered Hazlewood as an alternative to schools within Newcastle Great Park?
Are you concerned that closing a nearby primary school could reduce educational choices for local families?
Or do you believe the Council's concerns about the building and available school places justify considering closure?
We welcome thoughtful discussion through the Great Park Residents Group.
Please avoid identifying individual children or sharing private educational information when commenting publicly.
Whatever the final outcome, the children and families affected deserve a process that is transparent, fair and focused on their long-term educational needs.
Sources and further reading
North Tyneside Council – Official consultation
https://haveyoursay.northtyneside.gov.uk/proposal-to-close-hazelwood-primary-school
North Tyneside Council – Consultation questions and answers
North Tyneside Council – Cabinet decision, 5 October 2026
https://democracy.northtyneside.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=13479
Office of the Schools Adjudicator – Decision, 30 June 2026
Hazlewood Community Primary School – Published performance information
https://hazlewoodprimary.co.uk/about/pupil-progress-attainment/
Ofsted – Hazlewood Community Primary School
https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/108610
Department for Education – School Rebuilding Programme
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-rebuilding-programme
Save Hazlewood Community Primary School – Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/p/Save-Hazlewood-Community-Primary-School-61581934533431/
Save Hazlewood petition
https://www.change.org/p/save-hazlewood-community-primary-school
Save Hazlewood campaign links
https://solo.to/savehazlewoodschool
Newcastle City Council – Reception school applications
Information researched in October 2026. No final decision has been made to close Hazlewood Community Primary School. Campaign statements concerning finances, rebuilding eligibility, building lifespan and future pupil demand are reported as disputed claims where independent confirmation is not available. The Great Park Gazette welcomes further documentation and comment from North Tyneside Council, Hazlewood's governing body and campaign representatives.
