Residents win campaign as new primary school on outskirts of Hartlepool gets approved
An appeal to bring a second primary school to a growing estate has been approved by education bosses after a campaign was launched by residents earlier this year.
St Joseph’s Church of England Primary School will be built in Wynyard after residents and local partners appealed against the Department for Education’s decision to scrap plans just before Christmas.
A petition appealing against the Government’s decision managed to gain more than 1,000 signatures by residents.
Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash said: “I am proud we have now secured the reversal Wynyard needed and deserved. This school will be built.
“I want to thank the Secretary of State, Bridget Phillipson, for approving the appeal.
"Now we need to move at pace and keep parents updated every step of the way.”
The school was placed on a list of projects that the Government was “minded to cancel” back in January, with an appeal being launched shortly after.
Mr Brash, Melrose Learning Trust – which will run the school – Hartlepool Borough Council and the two Wynyard Parish Councils all made their own submissions.
Councillor Melanie Morley, chair of the children’s services committee at Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “Hartlepool is on the up and Wynyard residents have been clear that school places must keep pace with a growing community.
"Local families and parish councillors have worked tirelessly to be heard, and the petition and public meetings showed the strength of feeling and the strength of the case.
“This decision means we can now move forward with the additional primary school capacity local children need and deserve.”
Kane Forrester, chair of Wynyard Parish Council, said: “The collaboration between residents and stakeholders on this appeal has been excellent, and the outcome is fantastic news for our community.
“It reflects the hard work and dedication of many individuals committed to improving local educational opportunities.”
Roger Ward, chief executive of Melrose Learning Trust, said: “It has been 10 years since preparing the initial application for St Joseph’s, and following unwavering hard work, detailed planning, and persistent advocacy, we are delighted that the Department for Education has approved our appeal to establish another new free school in an area where local demand has been clear for so long.”