Primary schools set for closure

Sep 26 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

TWO primary schools look likely be closed in Cheshire at the end of this academic year because of falling pupil numbers.

One of the schools has places for 56 pupils but just 16 on the roll and the other has space for 332 children but only 82 attending.

Woodfield Primary School in Kingsway, Chester, will close in July 2008, Cheshire's new Executive School Organisation sub-committee has decided provisionally.

The nearby Newton Primary School will be enlarged to offer places to Woodfield pupils.

Harthill Primary School near Tattenhall could also close at the end of the school year in July, 2008.

These decisions are subject to the County Council’s five day statutory “calling in” period, although the decisions are expected to be confirmed on October 1.

Recent years have seen school closures across Merseyside and Cheshire as pupil numbers in many areas are predicted to fall.

Wirral has been carrying out rolling reviews across the borough and with many primaries in parts of Liverpool, Knowsley, Wirral and St Helens facing closure or merger with neighbouring schools, campaigns to try to save them have been set up by many concerned parents.