Falling birth rates could lead to schools merger

Two schools in a town could merge as a consequence of falling birth rates, a council has said.

That proposal in Runcorn comes after Halton Council confirmed in November it was reviewing schools provision due to a large drop in pupil numbers and a relatively high number of unfilled places.

The town had 1,279 free places across its schools, representing a 20% surplus which, according to projections, could rise to at least 29% by 2029.

Local authorities and central government usually only aim for a surplus of 5-10%, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Schools get most of their funding based upon the number of pupils they have on roll, so fewer children means less money.

Halton Council brought in the Local Government Association (LGA) to review its data and present findings, with a board being formed to discuss various options.

It is made up of representatives from the local authority, schools, dioceses, academy trusts and government agencies.

One idea under consideration is for Westfield Primary School to become an academy and join the Wade Deacon Trust.

The trust would then seek to merge Westfield with its Weston Point Primary Academy on a single site big enough to accommodate both schools.

This would include all special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision.

Schools which become part of academy trusts are run outside of local authority control.

A Halton Council spokeswoman said no final decision on either the academisation of Westfield or a merger with Weston Point had been made.

She said the council had been working closely with school leaders and education partners across Runcorn "to understand the challenges created by a growing number of surplus primary school places, driven largely by falling birth rates".

She said the council was considering ideas "that would ensure children in Runcorn continue to receive an excellent education and that schools can afford to keep running well".

Parents, staff and wider school communities will be consulted over the coming months, subject to the agreement Westfield Primary School's governing body and the Department for Education.

She said a number of recommendations would be made and shared with the council's executive board and other decision makers such as academy trusts, who would decide upon a course of action.

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