MOVES by a prestigious private school in Wirral to become an academy have been approved “in principle” by Wirral Council.
The authority’s ruling cabinet has backed the application by the Oxton-based girl’s school Birkenhead High – although it asked the Government to look again at the school taking primary school-age pupils.
Cllr Phil Davies, cabinet member for education, insisted the local authority was not opposed to the creation of an Academy at Birkenhead High from September.
He said: “Because of the possible impact on primary schools of an academy taking pupils from five to 18 years old, we asked that the secretary of state to consider whether the academy should be 11-18 instead.”
Cllr Davies said the request was made in light of the continuing drop in numbers of children and an over-supply in school places in Wirral.
However, he said he thought it “unlikely” that the Government would make any changes to the admissions policy.
