Wirral Council’s new Conservative-led cabinet called for the authority to “go the extra mile” to find a site for a newly-built academy in Birkenhead

Jun 2 2010 by Liam Murphy, Heswall News

WIRRAL Council's new Conservative-led cabinet called for the authority to "go the extra mile" to find a site for a newly-built academy in Birkenhead.

In one of its first actions, the cabinet meeting at Wallasey Town Hall on Thursday approved existing plans, which will see Rock Ferry and Park High schools shut and a new academy set up to serve pupils from both.

Dr Colin Hankinson, from the University of Chester – one of the new academy’s sponsor – said a newly- built academy on a new site would be the university’s preferred option.

However, Dr Hankinson said Chester University was “completely committed to leading an academy in Birkenhead that is outstanding”.

The cabinet meeting was told many sites had been investigated without any clear pros pect of a site being available.

The cabinet decided to approve the existing plans, which will see an academy created on the site of Park High in Birkenhead. But it also instructed the director of children’s services, Howard Cooper, “to explore further whether a suitable site and funding might be available”.

The new school would specialise in Health and Social Care and Science.