Save Hazlewood Community Primary School

01/02/2026

Ding Dong… Jon Ritchie’s Gone!

The closure of Hazlewood Community Primary School was driven by two of North Tyneside Council’s most well-known directors (not for positive reasons)… Jon Ritchie and Julie Firth.

As many residents already know, Julie Firth conveniently “retired” back in January. What’s come to light more recently is that Jon Ritchie is also on his way out of North Tyneside Council, preparing to begin a new chapter at Northumberland County Council. To the residents of Northumberland, we send our deepest condolences 😔

Both directors were key drivers behind the closure of Hazlewood. Yet one director was no longer in post when the Cabinet Decision Meeting took place and the other had already secured employment with another council. Despite this, both were allowed to influence, shape and push through a decision that has heavily impacted the lives of Hazlewood’s teaching staff, pupils, families and the wider community.

In effect, a school has been closed by individuals who were either already gone or halfway out of the door. Decisions of this magnitude should be made by leaders (not dictators) who are fully accountable to the borough and its resident. Not by those preparing their exit strategy. All schools involved in the Education Review, deserved better than a process driven by directors with no long-term stake in the community.

This exposes just how broken and unfair this decision-making process truly was!

24/01/2026

We have been tagged and privately messaged by many concerned residents following the recent Local Plan announcement by the council.

Naturally, after looking into things, we have found information.

As we all know, the land on which Hazlewood sits could accommodate affordable housing. Therefore, helping North Tyneside Council meet its affordable housing targets. FOI's show the council have already had land valuations for the Hazlewood site.

Backworth Primary School was rebuilt in 2018 on a nearby site to its original location. The £5.05 million rebuild was funded through Section 106 (S106) contributions from local housing developments. These funds are paid by property developers to the Local Planning Authority, in this case North Tyneside Council.

The original school building later caught fire and was destroyed. Fortunately, no one was harmed. No information was ever released regarding the cause of the fire.

Moving on.... Aurora Properties (Sales) Ltd is a trading name of North Tyneside Trading Company (Development) Ltd. This is a private limited company owned by North Tyneside Council, created to help deliver affordable housing. We would encourage residents to review the company details and directors listed on Companies House.

Despite this stated purpose, Aurora Properties developed the former Backworth Primary School site into seven EXECUTIVE four/five-bedroom homes.... not AFFORDABLE homes.

At the same Cabinet meeting (October 2019) where these seven executive homes were approved, the Cabinet also agreed in principle, to the development of the Annitsford Farm site. Again through Aurora Properties (Sales) Ltd.

Fast forward to March 2025: Homes England has expressed its intention to acquire the Annitsford Farm site. Once acquired, Homes England plans to submit a planning application. As we all know, planning decisions rest with the council. If planning permission is granted, the site would then be sold to a preferred residential developer. According to the March 2025 Cabinet minutes, “In these circumstances the Authority may benefit from a future overage payment.”

Again, this demonstrates that targets and financial incentives are the primary drivers behind decisions made by North Tyneside Council, our local Mayor and Deputy Mayor, as well as Cabinet members.

Decisions appear to be motivated by revenue rather than community need. More housing results in increased Council Tax income, while land sales generate additional revenue streams.

Based on our experience of North Tyneside Council’s consultation processes, outcomes seem predetermined. Consultation periods are conducted not as a genuine engagement exercise, but merely as a tick-box formality, giving the appearance of public involvement after decisions have already been made.

23/01/2026

“Falling birth rates” is the pathetic excuse North Tyneside Council has given, for the proposed closure of Hazlewood.

Within Hazlewood’s recommended statutory walking distance of two miles, North Tyneside Council has identified 14 new housing development sites.

These developments will deliver 2,260 new homes. According to North Tyneside Council’s own planning data, every 100 new homes generate an average of 32 children. That equates to an additional 732 children expected in the local area.

If Hazlewood is closed and its pupils are combined with Greenfields, Greenfields would immediately be operating at full capacity. Government data shows that Fordley Primary School has a maximum capacity of 420 pupils and currently has 383 enrolled, leaving space for just 37 pupils. Burradon Community Primary School has capacity for 200 pupils and currently has approximately 152 enrolled, leaving 48 available places. Combined, this provides only 85 available school places, nowhere near sufficient to accommodate an additional 732 children.

At the Mayor’s Killingworth drop-in session in on Saturday, neither Steven Phillipson nor Deputy Mayor Carl Johnson was able to demonstrate where these projected children had been accounted for in the Strategic Education Review. The review documents make no reference whatsoever to the 2,260 planned homes.

When asked to provide evidence that these housing developments had been factored into the decision to close Hazlewood, Deputy Mayor Carl Johnson responded in a rude and aggressive manner, relying solely on assertion rather than evidence.

These Mayor drop-in sessions are intended to allow residents of North Tyneside to raise concerns and ask questions. However, when presented with facts that challenge the Council’s narrative, the Deputy Mayor became defensive and unwilling to provide supporting documentation. We are still awaiting an email confirming where, if anywhere, the additional housing has been considered within the report. Something says, we will be waiting a long time!

This is yet another example of cost-cutting taking priority over children’s education, driven by the need to meet government housing targets, rather than the long-term needs of local communities!

14/01/2026

As one door closes, another opens…. Together we will take on the next chapter in Hazlewood’s journey!

Keep our children in their safe setting, ensure the teachers have much needed stability and continue to deliver over achieving education!

Ensuring the school remains for generations to come! ♥️

Headteacher Stephane Bommel says the impact on school communities is "not underestimated"

13/01/2026

What a turbulent 15 weeks it has been!

While many of us parents continue to gather evidence and pursue justice.

For our Teachers, Children and School...

It is time for positivity, time to move forward and time to begin Hazlewood Community Primary Schools next chapter ❤️

12/01/2026

Coming away from the Cabinet meeting in utter shock….. not at the outcome, but at how completely pre-scripted the meeting was!

Every question raised by the Cabinet was, ironically, already listed on the prepared sheet, complete with answers. In less than 20 minutes, they decided the fate of an entire school and deemed its dedicated, hardworking teachers expendable. That is an absolute disgrace.

The elected Mayor attempted to silence us, even threatening removal. For what?

For standing up for what is right.
For fighting for our teachers and our children.
For demanding that future generations continue to benefit from an outstanding, high-achieving school.

The elected Mayor and her Cabinet may have controlled this decision but they will not control the outcome of the next election.

By then Hazlewood will still be standing, under leadership not dictatorship. Independent of North Tyneside Council; and living proof that justice does, in the end, WIN ♥️

12/01/2026

Ahead of this evening’s Cabinet decision meeting, we formally requested that a representative be allowed to speak on behalf of Hazlewood.

We believe it is vital that Cabinet Members are made aware of significant and recently uncovered building safety concerns at Greenfields. These include the identification of 23 areas containing asbestos and the restricted (“forbidden”) access to floor ducts. Which raises serious concerns regarding fire safety, building regulation compliance and most importantly, the welfare of both pupils and staff.

Crucially, these issues only came to light AFTER the consultation survey closed on 1 January 2026 at 17:00. As a result, we have been unable to submit this critical evidence to Cabinet Members, who are now being asked to make a far-reaching decision about Hazlewood’s future, without access to this information.

North Tyneside’s elected Mayor has decided NOT to invite a Hazlewood representative to speak at this evening’s Cabinet meeting. This decision further highlights the lack of political support Hazlewood has.

An elected Mayor is expected to act as the primary voice and advocate for the people within their jurisdiction, to champion resident’s concerns and ensure they are heard at the highest level. In this instance, the Mayor had the opportunity to allow Hazlewood to raise urgent safeguarding concerns relating to Greenfields pupils and staff. As well as to highlight how increasing footfall and traffic, in an already failing building, could significantly worsen existing conditions. Most critically, this decision has denied the chance to formally raise serious concerns about health, safety and welfare.

As part of their role, elected Mayors are expected to uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life:

Selflessness – Act solely in the public interest

Integrity – Avoid obligations that could influence official duties

Objectivity – Make decisions based on evidence, without bias

Accountability – Be answerable to the public and open to scrutiny

Openness – Provide clear reasons for decisions

Honesty – Be truthful in all official matters

Leadership – Promote and uphold these principles by example

Preventing Hazlewood from presenting newly discovered evidence, at such a critical decision-making meeting, calls into question how these principles are being applied in practice!

09/01/2026

🚨 Calling all parents, carers, grandparents, friends, and supporters of Hazlewood… 🚨

Our Cabinet Meeting is fast approaching!

The meeting is open to the public. While attendees are not permitted to speak, we have formally nominated a representative to speak, on the merger item.

What we need now is YOU‼️

We are calling on as many people as possible to attend. To show the Cabinet Members the strength of feeling, unity and passion behind Hazlewood.

The meeting room holds approximately 30–40 seats. North Tyneside has confirmed that, when demand is high, they have previously provided additional seating either within the Chamber or the café area, along with a live stream.

Our hope is simple but powerful… Let’s fill the room!

This is our opportunity to demonstrate that Hazlewood is not just a school, it is a community that is deeply loved, fiercely supported and worth fighting for.

As with previous council meetings, we kindly ask that anyone attending, wears something red. This symbolises our children’s red jumpers! A visible reminder of who we are standing up for ♥️

In true Hazlewood campaign style, there will be other thoughtful and respectful ways, we plan to ensure our children’s voices are felt.

Meeting details:

📅 Date: 12th January 2026
🕕 Time: 18:00
📍 Location: 0.02 Chamber – Quadrant, The Silverlink North, Cobalt Business Park, North Tyneside, NE27 0BY

♥️ Let’s come together.
♥️ Let’s stand proud.
♥️ Let’s show everyone in that room just how deeply Hazlewood is cherished, protected and supported

07/01/2026

Five days before our crucial decision meeting, we have uncovered vital information, that every Greenfield and Hazlewood parent/carer needs to be aware of...

🚨 We think this could potentially pause or stop the merger

🚨 Both Hazlewood and Greenfields children and teachers, could be at harm

🚨 Major Health and Safety Risk

It has come to light that the school, North Tyneside Council intends to merge Hazlewood into, contains 23 identified areas of asbestos within the building.

While asbestos is considered low risk, when fully intact and undisturbed, it can rapidly become high risk when building occupancy increases. This is particularly concerning in a school environment due to the following factors:

Increased activity: A larger number of pupils and staff significantly raises the likelihood of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) being disturbed or damaged. Even everyday wear and tear to walls, ceilings, and floor tiles can release fibers.

More frequent maintenance and refurbishment: Higher usage naturally leads to more repairs and maintenance, which carries an increased risk of disturbing asbestos.

Greater exposure risk: Merging two schools means that if asbestos fibres are released, more children and staff could inhale them, increasing the potential for serious long-term health conditions, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

YES, asbestos is already a major concern within the Greenfield's building. HOWEVER, the situation becomes even more alarming...

Due to the presence of asbestos, the seals to the floor service ducts cannot be removed. The report confirms, that access to these ducts is 'FORBIDDEN'.

Access to school floor ducts in the UK is essential for maintaining:

Excellent indoor air quality (IAQ)

Pupil and staff health

Cognitive function, focus, and learning outcomes

Legal health and safety compliance

Fire safety management, including fire dampers

Essential ventilation maintenance and cleaning

Without access, these ducts can become breeding grounds for contaminants, severely compromising ventilation and negatively impacting both learning and wellbeing.

Key concerns include:

Cleaning: Inability to remove dust, debris and potential contaminants, including increased Legionella risk.

Workplace Regulations: The Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992 require sufficient fresh air; inaccessible ducts undermine compliance.

Fire Safety: Fire dampers within ducts cannot be properly inspected or maintained, increasing fire spread risk.

Increased illness: Poor ventilation allows viruses, bacteria and allergens to circulate.

Reduced concentration: Elevated CO₂ levels directly impact focus, attention, and academic performance.

Increased drowsiness: Stale air affects alertness and overall well-being.

Once again, another school within North Tyneside has been let down by its council, with children placed at risk, to avoid the cost of addressing serious building defects. Allowing innocent children and staff to remain in this environment is unacceptable and represents a clear failure to safeguard their welfare.

We have formally raised these concerns with North Tyneside Council and cabinet members. It is only right and fair that this information is shared with the families and carers of Greenfield's pupils.

As parents and carers ourselves, we know that nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our children

05/01/2026

This is a story from one of our pupils who attends Hazlewood. Although Jacob is classed as having SEND, he has never once been made to feel different, from his peers.

“As Jacob’s parents, we feel incredibly lucky to have found a school that truly sees our child first. We are so grateful to be part of a school community that genuinely embraces inclusion and ensures that Jacob is fully accepted. This sense of belonging means more to our family than words can express.

In his young nine years, Jacob has already faced many challenges. As parents, this journey has been stressful and heartbreaking at times, as well as requiring immense strength. However, knowing that Jacob attends Hazlewood has lifted one major source of worry, from our lives.

Throughout every operation Jacob has undergone, the support and kindness shown by Hazlewood, has been phenomenal. The care has extended not only to Jacob, but also to us, as his parents. The school community consistently goes above and beyond, offering compassion, understanding and reassurance, when we need it most.

Knowing that Jacob goes to school each day cared for by teachers who truly know and understand him, brings us enormous comfort. He is surrounded by staff who go the extra mile and by a school family that accepts every part of him…. Treating him simply as Jacob”

03/01/2026

Meet the newest member of the campaign team…

Sporting the Hazlewood red and helping spread the ‘Save Hazlewood School’ message far and wide!

♥️⛄️♥️⛄️♥️⛄️♥️⛄️♥️⛄️♥️⛄️♥️⛄️♥️⛄️♥️