Campaigners and a national charity have renewed calls for North Tyneside Council to reverse its decision to close High Borrans Outdoor Education Centre near Windermere, after the authority said the site will shut by November. The move follows council concerns over falling school bookings and a substantial maintenance bill.
National charity criticises council move
UK Youth, a national organisation for youth work, has described the closure as part of a worrying trend and urged the council to pause the timetable and carry out meaningful consultations with stakeholders, including young people. The charity warned that closing subsidised provision at High Borrans would conflict with government ambitions to reduce the participation gap in enriching activities.
“You cannot claim to be closing the opportunity gap for young people nationally while quietly shutting the doors that have opened it locally for 59 years,” said David Watts, director of outdoor learning at UK Youth.
Watts added that centres such as High Borrans help young people develop “confidence, resilience and essential life skills”, and said: “Young people don’t get a second go at growing up.”
Why the council says it is closing the centre
North Tyneside Council has pointed to a fall in school visits and the availability of alternative providers as reasons for the move, alongside a reported £3.4m maintenance bill required to bring the site up to compliance. A petition to save the centre has gathered local support and, at the time of reporting, has passed 2,090 signatures.
- High Borrans has operated for decades as an outdoor education resource for young people from the North East.
- The council cites reduced demand from schools and high upkeep costs.
- UK Youth has called for a pause and fuller consultation before a final decision is made.
Local impact and points to consider
For families and schools in North Tyneside who rely on subsidised residential outdoor experiences, the loss of High Borrans could mean less access to outdoor learning that often supports personal development and curriculum-linked activities. The centre has been framed by supporters as particularly valuable to disadvantaged pupils who may not otherwise access such trips.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Reported maintenance bill | £3.4m |
| Petition signatures (at publication) | 2,090+ |
| Years of service cited | 59 years |
Local schools, parent groups and youth organisations will be watching closely for any further council papers or consultation dates. UK Youth has urged North Tyneside to publish a full account of alternative options and to ensure young people’s voices are central to any decision-making.
As the council moves towards a November closure date, the debate raises wider questions about how local authorities balance budgets and statutory responsibilities with the provision of enrichment opportunities that many campaigners argue deliver long-term social and educational benefits.
