Chantry Middle School in Morpeth has been able to expand its intake in Year 5 this academic year thanks to new classrooms developed there by Northumberland County Council.

An old music block on the school site has been converted into new spaces for learning.

The school is part of The Three Rivers Learning Trust which was established in 2011 and includes The King Edward VI High School, three feeder middle schools, including Chantry, and three first schools.

This new teaching space at Chantry provides for up to 50 additional children and has allowed the school to take in a new Year 5 class this year.  The conversion has provided two bright and light classrooms plus some ancillary and storage space.

County councillors and officers from the council’s children’s services team met with the chief executive of the Three Rivers trust and the headteacher of Chantry Middle School this week to view the new facilities.

Councillor Wayne Daley, cabinet member for children’s services at Northumberland County Council said:  “The council has been very pleased to fund these new classrooms at Chantry – expanding the educational provision for families in Morpeth. 

“This demonstrates the council’s commitment to investing to future proof education by providing additional places not only in Morpeth but also where they are needed in other areas across the county.”

Bryan Stewart, headteacher at Chantry Middle School added:  “This is a fantastic renovation of what was an old music block which was not at all suitable for everyday learning.  

“The conversion has provided us with two great new classrooms plus some very useful additional space.  These are proving to be inspiring places for our students to learn and we look forward to expanding their use in the future.”