Centre for deaf children to close

The move is part of the council’s education inclusion strategy, which aims to integrate pupils with additional needs into mainstream provision.

From September pupils who once attended Monkhouse Primary Deaf Support Centre in North Shields will be dispersed between local schools.

Staff from the unit are to be employed in alternative roles supporting children and young people with sensory needs in the area.

Councillor Norma Redfearn, local cabinet member for children, young people and learning, said: “In closing the centre, it is important that we recognise its success in recent years as a local and regional example of excellent provision for children with hearing impairment, and celebrate the fact that we’ve made it possible for these young people to now attend a mainstream school.”

Local residents have made no official objections to the council on the closure of the centre.