TWO Liverpool schools could move on to a science park into state-of-the-art buildings if council plans go ahead.

St Margaret’s CofE high, in Aigburth, and city-centre based Archbishop Blanch CofE high could both move to new premises on Liverpool Innovation Park, based at Edge Lane.

The two schools would remain separate and in different buildings.

The step is part of Liverpool’s £485m revamp of its secondary schools and will be put to the council’s executive board this morning.

Most of the original plans for the city’s schools were announced by the Daily Post in October, 2007, but some aspects proved untenable.

Originally, boys’ school St Margaret’s was to join forces with girls’ school Archbishop Blanch on its refurbished Aigburth Road site, but predicted major rises in traffic meant the idea was dropped.

St Hilda’s CofE high, in Sefton Park, could move to the current St Margaret's site, but the school’s chair of governors, Joan Stein, said they had no definite idea where pupils and teachers would be relocated to.

She added the school was committed to its all girls status, and would not be admitting boys: “St Hilda’s will be looking to move but as of yet we do not know where to.

“The staff and pupils will be delighted to work in a building with newer facilities.

“We have considered several sites but it is a bit like musical schools, it all depends on what happens elsewhere.

“We welcome the programme and it is a wonderful opportunity for Liverpool.”

A unique joint faith Academy could also be formed in south Liverpool, which would see New Heys Community Comprehensive, Allerton, merging with St Benedict’s Catholic College, Garston, on the site of St Benedict’s.

The new business and enterprise academy with a Christian ethos would be the first of its kind in the country.

Notre Dame girls college, in Everton Valley, will now be staying put at its current site.

Headteacher Christine McCann said: “The news that we are staying on this site will delight many hundreds of parents and students, past and present.

“The building at present incorporates state-of-the-art performing arts facilities.

“Under Building Schools For the Future arrangements, the rest of the building will be rebuilt taking in the increased land which will be made available.”

The council’s proposals now go out for consultation, with parents, pupils and school staff being urged to play an active role.

The BSF scheme is also designed to tackle falling rolls by cutting 4,000 pupil places.

Faced with the prospect of a predicted fall in pupil numbers from 30,000 to 21,000 by 2018, the council says places must be cut to guarantee funding.

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