More Wirral schools face closure or amalgamation as birth rates continue to fall

Oct 22 2008 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

More Wirral schools face closure or amalgamation as birth rates continue to fall

MORE primary schools across the borough could be closed or amalgamated to tackle falling birth rates.

Members of Wirral Council’s cabinet last week agreed to continue a review of primary school places which has so far seen the closures of The Dell Primary School, St Oswald’s CE Primary, Vyner Primary, Bromborough Pool Primary and St Mary’s CE Primary in Eastham.

It is thought a slight increase in Wirral’s birth rate will lead to a rise in primary age pupils from 2011 to 2013.

But Councillor Phil Davies, cabinet member for education, said numbers were expected to fall further and it was important to continue the review.

He told Thursday’s meeting: “When we embarked on this review in 2004 we thought it would be a rolling programme.

“The numbers in terms of primary schools continue to fall. Although there’s some evidence of a marginal increase in 2011-13 the overall trend is still clear, and that is downward.

“I think this is an issue we need to keep a very close eye on.”

In January councillors approved plans to close Poulton Primary in Wallasey and Pensby Park Primary.

The latest phase in June saw councillors propose the closure of Arrowe Hill Primary in Woodchurch.

Future phases will take in Prenton and Noctorum, Wallasey, Leasowe, Moreton, Upton, Greasby and Pensby/Thingwall.