Council makes £2.6million from sale of axed schools

Jun 23 2008 EXCLUSIVE by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

WIRRAL made £2.6m from the sale of a primary school site closed as a result of its review of pupil numbers across the borough, according to information released under the Freedom of Information Act.

The review – carried out on an area- by-area basis over the last several years – has examined the current and expected demand for primary places. at primary schools.

It had been prompted by concerns that, on average, around 12% of primary school places have been found to be empty, and this was set to rise to 18% in 2010 unless action was taken.

The council estimates by then it would have spent £7m on maintaining empty classroom spaces.

A spokeswoman for Wirral Council said: “So far, the first three phases of the Primary Places Review have resulted in the closure of four primary schools, and the amalgamation of three pairs of schools.

“The closed schools were: The Dell Primary School, Bromborough Pool Primary School and St Mary's CE (Controlled) Primary School, while Pensby Park and Poultonprimary schools will close in the summer.”

According to the authority, so far one of the school sites, The Dell Primary School, has been declared surplus and was sold off. The council said it sold at auction for £2.6m.

According to the council, the capital receipt has been reinvested in school and other council capital schemes.

The authority also said that of the three other sites no longer in use as primary schools, one has been conver- ted to house a special school and stays in the ownership of the council. The other two were leased by the council and either have been or will shortly be returned to the owners.

The spokeswoman added: “The amalgamated schools were Prenton Infant and Junior School to form Prenton Primary School and St Oswald's CE (Controlled) Primary School and Vyner Primary School to form Bidston Village CE (Controlled) Primary School, while Pensby Infant and Pensby Junior School will merge to form a primary school from September this year.

“Other minor alterations have also been carried out at other primary schools as a result of the Review.

“In Phase 4, the consultation on options for the Woodchurch area has concluded, and a report on the options for this area will go to Council's Cabinet this summer.

“The Primary Places Review is intended as a rolling programme, with Phase 5 due to begin in Autumn 2008.”

The review initially concentrated on primary places but has now started to move on to examining the demand for secondary schools, although this has recently been delayed while further details of Birkenhead High School for Girls’ application to become an Academy is processed.

The most recent stage of Wirral’s review of primary school places said West Kirby, Hoylake and Meols, Noctorum and Moreton schools should remain unchanged, but changes are afoot inWoodchurch.

However, education officials have recommended most areas be left unchanged, with the exception of Woodchurch.

Proposals there had included closure of Arrowe Hill Primary School, closure of Fender Primary School, or amalgamation of the schools on either of their current sites.