Ponteland High School, Demolished in 2021
Until its move and subsequent demolition of the old building in 2021, this was the site of the forty-year-old Ponteland High School
High School — audio guide
It was one of the two new, large schools were built on this site in 1971.
They were required to cope with Ponteland’s rapidly growing population, the raising of the school leaving age to 16 and the introduction of the three-tier, comprehensive based education system in Northumberland.
Prior to the 1970’s, children sat an examination at the age of 11 called the 11 Plus which determined whether they would go on to attend a Secondary Modern School if they failed the exam, or if they were lucky enough to pass, then a Grammar School. Up to the age of 11, they attended Primary Schools (which often had an Infants section). In 1971, this changed. Three new types of schools were introduced; First Schools for those aged 5-9, Middle Schools for those aged 9-13 and High Schools for those aged 13-18.
The two new schools built down Callerton Lane by the Northumberland County Council Education Committee were Ponteland County Middle School and Ponteland County High School with the Middle School being the first to open and the High School following it in September 1972.
In 2001 the High School changed its status to Community High School but it was still owned and funded by the County Council. There were moves around 2010 to take it out of County Council control but this met a lot of local opposition and the plans were put on hold. This did occur in 2019 however when it became an Academy school under the direct control of the Department of Education. At this time, the education system in the county reverted back to a two-tier system of primary and secondary schools, and the High School now took pupils aged 11 and onwards.
This move to Academy status provided it with access to a whole new level of funding and in 2020 the school was able to combine with Sports Centre and move into a new, mult-million pound Community Hub built just up the road from the original premises which were demolished shortly afterwards.