Education plan targets 1600 student places

More than 1600 additional education and training places could be created across the North East through a proposed £8.1 million investment.

The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) is considering funding 14 projects across all seven local authority areas through its Post-16 Sufficiency Capital Programme.

If approved by the MSA’s cabinet, the investment would support colleges, sixth forms and academies to expand teaching capacity as the region’s population of 16 to 18-year-olds grows.

Plans include refurbishing and converting existing buildings, creating specialist vocational facilities and workshops, expanding SEND provision and installing modular teaching accommodation.

The programme is expected to create at least 1638 additional student places by the 2027/28 and 2028/29 academic years.

It is intended to help ensure young people, including those with special educational needs, lower prior attainment or other barriers to learning, can access suitable post-16 opportunities.

Charlotte Carpenter, director of skills, inclusion and public service reform at the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, said: “This investment gives all our young people the opportunity for the education they deserve.

“It's a direct response to rising demand for post-16 education and training places, and helps build the specialist facilities our colleges and schools need.”

Institutions earmarked for investment include Bishop Auckland College, New College Durham, East Durham College, South Tyneside College, Tyne Coast College, City of Sunderland College, Gateshead College and Newcastle College.

North East Futures UTC, Gosforth Academy, Newcastle Sixth Form and Northumberland College’s Kirkley Hall Campus are also among those included in the proposals.

The MSA has identified education, skills and inclusion as a major area of investment in its 2026-30 corporate plan.

Charlotte added: “By investing right across the North East, we’re making sure no young person is held back from the skills, training or support that can shape their future.”

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