Schools in East Northumberland

[NorthernMove]

We are planning a move to Northumberland, focusing the search on the area from Morpeth up to Amble and everything in between these two towns.

My DD looks set to need schools that are supportive of children with SEN. She is quiet, well-behaved and academically doing well but struggles with school in other ways.

Can anyone shed any light on how I can go about making sure we move somewhere with a good supportive primary school and make sure we're in catchment for a secondary where kids like her are supported to cope with the school environment.

Where are you moving from and how old is your child? That part of the county still has the three tier school system of first school, middle school, then high school.

I think middle schools could be positive by delaying transition to big school until your child is a little older.

The lower population density also means that outside South East Northumberland the catchment areas for high schools can be huge and roll numbers quite high. There are only three high school in the area you're looking at King Edward VI in morpeth, Duchess in Alnwick and James Spence in amble. I'd look at the size of roll (e.g Kevi is 1400 kids 13-18) and academic attainment. Im not sure any high school can honestly guarantee adequate SEN provision with the mess that is educationfunding right now. My opinion is based on feedback from multiple friends teaching in the North East, a teacher in my household and having family ties to the area.

Hopefully someone will be along who can share specific recent experiences at these schools with you as well.