The Director of Children’s Services updated Cabinet on the position in respect of secondary school places in Wirral and described recent developments, the current position, and issues for the future in relation to the proposed Phase 2 of the Secondary Places Review.

As in Phase 1 of the Review, there were four essential elements in looking to plan future secondary school requirements across the Borough. These were, firstly, the numbers of children expected to enter school over the next seven years; secondly the capacity of the current stock of secondary schools, individually and in areas; thirdly the impact of school size on standards, including the National Challenge, and finally various other factors with implications for place provision.

Following various recent developments, he also recommended that Phase 2 of the review be divided into two sub-phases, A to comprise Wirral West and B the Wallasey area.

Resolved -

(1) That approval be given to the division of Phase 2 of the review of secondary school provision into Phase 2A and Phase 2B, beginning with pre-consultation with Headteachers and chairs of governors in schools in Wirral West.

(2) That options arising from this initial consultation be the subject of a further report to Cabinet with the Director’s recommendations for option(s) to proceed to wider, formal consultation with all stakeholders.