The Director of Children’s Services advised the Cabinet of progress on the Phase 1 Area Review of secondary school places which comprised of schools in the Birkenhead and Bebington areas. Following additional consultations with stakeholders, and preliminary discussions with potential sponsors for an Academy, the report put forward further recommendations for consultation options in the Birkenhead area. It also provided an update on recent changes to school status, including the Secretary of State’s decision on Birkenhead High School for Girls.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Lifelong Learning referred to the context of the review in the light of falling school rolls and that the priority of the review was to raise the bar in terms of standards.  Councillor Phil Davies also stressed that the Cabinet would be open to consider any further options that arose as a result of the consultation process.

The Leader of the Council referred to the creation of an Academy for Girls in Birkenhead and queried whether, in the Director’s view, this was the best way of meeting the Council’s corporate objectives in terms of reducing inequalities.  The Director of Children’s Services indicated that the range of measures proposed would transform the education experience in Birkenhead.  The Leader of the Council expressed concern about the future of Ridgeway High School and the concerns of the residents in the area.

Resolved - That

(1)  the option for consultation on secondary school re-organisation in Birkenhead to comprise of the establishment of two 5 form of entry 11 to 16 Academies – one a single sex Academy for boys on a site to be confirmed, and the other a mixed sex Academy on the site of Park High School;

(2)  it be noted that the Cabinet will be open to consider any further options that arise as a result of the consultation process;

(3)  discussions take place with Shaftesbury Youth Club regarding possible use of the Shaftesbury Playing Field site and their collaboration with the project;

(4)  the Director be given all necessary authority to formalise agreements with potential sponsors, and to co-operate with OSC and DSCF appointed consultants in relation to the Statement of Intent and Expression of Interest phases of Academy development;

(5)  the Director be authorised to take all necessary steps to ensure the prescribed procedures are followed, including consultations on the closure of predecessor schools, in furtherance of the two Academy option;

(6)  a report including the Expression of Interest be brought to Cabinet in Summer 2009;

(7)  the recent changes of school status be noted; and

(8)  a report on the implications of the establishment of the Birkenhead High Academy for Girls from September 2009 be brought to Cabinet in Summer 2009.