Merger possible for two Wirral single sex schools

Sep 24 2009 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

Merger possible for two Wirral single sex schools

TWO single sex schools in Wirral could be joined together as part of a plan to deal with falling pupil numbers.

Wirral Council has revealed details of the next phase in its review of secondary school places in the borough.

A report to a meeting of the ruling cabinet next week says the authority will also be concentrating on west Wirral – delaying its review of secondary schools in Wallasey.

The report by Howard Cooper, Wirral’s director of children’s services, said the next phase of the review will examine Calday Grange Grammar School for Boys, Hilbre High School, Pensby High School for Boys, Pensby High School for Girls, Upton Hall School, West Kirby Grammar School for Girls, and Woodchurch High School.

But the report says “the falling roll is most localised to the Pensby area” and continues by looking at both schools there in more detail.

According to the council’s figures, Pensby High School for Boys falls into the category of having 25% surplus places, and the girls’ school next door will face the same issue by 2016.

Mr Cooper added: “By 2016, the total roll is projected to fall to 1,163 pupils, while surplus places rise to 587 (34%).”