A proposal to merge some of Birkenhead's primary schools has been slated by a school governor who called Wirral Council’s plans “absolute nonsense”.
The council's controversial plans would see Hillside Primary in Noctorum and Manor Primary in Beechwood merge. At the same time St Peter’s Catholic Primary School in Noctorum and St Paul’s Catholic Primary School would join together.
The council is set to put the plan out to consultation, after the move to do so was approved at a committee meeting on March 10, as pupil numbers in some parts of the town are set to fall in the coming years.
READ MORE: Live updates as stabbing closes Duke Street near Birkenhead Park station
A spokesperson for Wirral Council said it has a “legal duty to act when a considerable surplus of spaces is identified or projected”. But the council made it clear that no decisions will be made until after a formal consultation process involving parents, staff and the school community.
Speaking to the ECHO, Patrick Landsborough, chair of governors at Manor Primary, said: “There is no sound financial or educational benefit of the proposal. The plans are being made because we are undersubscribed and set to be even more undersubscribed by 2026.
“The council makes the argument that we would not be able to give children the benefit of a good education because our income is coming down. That’s absolute nonsense. We do provide a good education to children, including many children with SEND [Special Educational Needs and Disabilities].”
Mr Landsborough added: “It’s a wonderful atmosphere at the school. Children love the school, it’s so bright, colourful and vibrant. The plan (to merge the school), is riddled with statistical errors.”
He also spoke about the impact the move would have on the local area. Mr Landsborough added: “We don’t want it [the merger], it’s not necessary. The school is a fundamental part of the community, take that away and you take away one of the fundamental areas of identification.
“People are trying so hard to build up community feeling, to build up cornerstones. People may have to spend more on buses [should the merger go ahead] and public transport is not fantastic in that area.
“We have a good, sound budget, it’s carefully managed. We don’t envisage [a deficit] going forward, in the next three years we’re going to be in surplus. I think we can manage. We’ll be ok.”
Wirral Council said pupil numbers are falling in some parts of Birkenhead. In the case of Beechwood, council documents read: “As of May 21, the area had an overall occupancy of 82%. This is expected to decrease to 70% over the next five years, in line with population change resulting in a 30% surplus for the area."
The document added: “Local Plan developments are not expected to result in increased demand for places.” This pattern is not the same across Birkenhead, as current proposals would see a new school opened in North Birkenhead to meet demand for new school places in that part of the town over the next 15 years, which is set to rise.
The school has the backing of local councillors and MP Mick Whitley. Labour councillor Liz Grey, who represents the Bidston and St James ward where the school is based, said: “As a local councillor I agree [with Mr Landsborough], I don't see anything which suggests the schools need to close.
“We will have to see what residents say in the consultation. Hopefully their support will strengthen the argument to keep the schools open.
“I've worked closely with schools and my fellow ward councillors on this. Now we will work hard on it with residents also. Not only is this school of valuable importance to the children. It has been at the heart of the community for 30 plus years.”
Mick Whitley, MP for Birkenhead, said he was “totally opposed” to the mergers plan.
The Labour MP said: “We are talking about stripping away vital resources from some of the most deprived areas of Birkenhead.
“The closure of a school on either estate benefits no one. Children and parents will be faced with a 68-minute round trip twice a day to get their children to and from school, longer with prams and dangerous with a main road separating the two estates. There is no reliable bus service between the estates, so how does this merger help parents? It doesn’t – it will just make their everyday lives a lot more difficult.
“As for the children, being forced to learn further away from their home communities will disrupt their education. Good schools are not just exam factories.
“They are the hub for a community to come together – they run all sorts of activities that benefit the whole community, from support for single parents through to emergency food provision. Take the school away and, as the parents who have written to me stress, you are taking the community’s heart away.”
Mr Whitley insisted that there are no budget problems at the schools subject to the mergers plan. He said in the case of Manor Primary pupil numbers have increased and are set to increase further because of the number of early years children moving up through the school.
A spokesperson for Wirral Council said: “The council is responsible for ensuring that there is a sufficient number of primary school places available to meet the needs of local communities. In particular, the council has a legal duty to act when a considerable surplus of spaces is identified or projected at an individual school or schools.
“Over the last 12 months, a review has taken place to collect data and gather information about primary schools across the first planning area in Birkenhead. Based on this data, a report went to committee last week that makes a range of recommendations. These affect a number of schools across the area where changes have been suggested.
“As part of this process the council will carry out a formal consultation process - with parents, staff and the school community at the forefront – to ensure that all views are captured and considered. The findings of the consultation will be brought back to the committee following the consultation period. No decisions will be made on any proposal until that time.”
