Update on the Dryden Centre site
Last year, we officially declared the Dryden Centre surplus to requirements. The facility has been gradually emptied since 2012 and has been completely vacant since March 2024.
It was agreed that the Gateshead Cheder Primary School, currently based at Bede House on Sunderland Road, will move into the Dryden Centre on a long-term lease.
The Jewish provision for boys aged between 3 and 16 has over 400 pupils and aims to move into the site in September 2025.
How the decision was reached
When the decision was made to stop using the Dryden Centre for training, alternative options were discussed with key stakeholders, including local councillors as representatives of the local community.
Stakeholder feedback showed a desire to see the site used for educational purposes. The council then identified the Cheder School, who needed new accommodation, as being a potential fit for the building.
Cabinet then agreed to a proposal for the long-term use of the Dryden Centre for the Cheder School.
Access to the grounds
The playing fields will continue to be used by organised groups. These are currently the Gateshead Rugby Club and the Cheder School, with usage also by other schools and sports clubs by arrangements. Informal use of the playing fields will be prohibited, and the current unauthorised use of the fields will stop.
There will be gated access from the school car park, and Dryden Road. Both sets of gates will be locked when access is not required.
The main school entrance is via the car park, which will be secured by an electric gate. The entrance to the car park will accommodate two-way traffic. The school itself will be fully secured, and a private security company will be in operation throughout school hours.
Traffic and parking implications
The school proposes to facilitate the journeys of most primary-school age children on directly procured buses. Senior-school pupils will travel by directly procured bus, cycling or walking. It is anticipated that there will be approximately 100 car journeys over a school day period, which will not make a significant contribution to peak traffic levels.
The school is next to the Dryden School and close to St Peter's RC Primary School. However, The Cheder School start will not clash with these schools. It is anticipated that the Cheder School day will start at 8am on some days and at 9.15am on others.
The joint access to the Dryden School and future Cheder School will be reprioritised to help with traffic flow, with exit priority being given to the Dryden School. The specially procured bus service will access drop-off and pick-up points in the school grounds. The on-site staff car park will provide car parking for all staff and any visitors, so should not impact on nearby street parking. There will not be street parking permit schemes as part of the opening of this school.
Communities
Although the school will be for Jewish scholars, it will also be part of the wider Low Fell community. The school is entering into agreements with the rugby club and drama groups to allow usage of elements of the building and car park.
The school is governed by Ofsted. Policies for the school as required by Ofsted (including one for antisocial behaviour) will be available publicly.
There will be some refurbishment works to make the building safe and secure for its pupils. However, it is not anticipated that such works will create any significant noise or other factors that are likely to be considered a disturbance.
Further detail and next steps
It is hoped that the new Cheder School will welcome students in September 2025.
Term dates will be publicly available so that community groups know when the hall will be available.
The school will open at either 8am or 9.15am and remain open until the afternoon Monday to Thursday, with some early finishes on Fridays. There is also some school opening on Sundays.