A half-empty school is getting closer to closing.

North Tyneside Council plans to close Monkseaton High School, in Whitley Bay, in August 2026 after finding there were no “viable options” to keep it open.

The school had 511 pupils, despite a capacity of 964 pupils and a projected deficit of £7m, the council said.

A petition launched in September and signed by more than 2,600 people, it said the school “has played a vital role in educating our rising generation, shaping their future and, ultimately, defining the pillars of our society” .

In addition to the drop in student numbers, local authorities told the Local democracy information service alternative options, such as making the school an academy, had been ruled out.

A council report added: “The closure of the school is deemed necessary as it is no longer viable.

“There are surplus places elsewhere in the region, which can accommodate displaced pupils, and there is no anticipated increase in demand for the school in the medium to long term.”

One supporter of keeping the school open wrote on the petition: “This warm, friendly and supportive school must remain open to children who prefer to learn and thrive in a smaller school environment. »

A six-week consultation on the planned closure attracted more than 900 responses.

The council said it would hold a four-week statutory consultation from November 15 during which non-executive councilors could ask for the decision to be reviewed.

Director of children’s services Julie Firth said the community had shown “real passion” for the school and thanked everyone for expressing their views.