There are no children left at a historic Sefton school that is due to close this year.
Sefton Council announced plans to close St Teresa’s Catholic Infant school in Birkdale last year after a huge fall in pupil numbers, leaving the school unable to balance its books.
Although pupil numbers had been declining for some time, an ‘inadequate’ Ofsted report in 2016 accelerated the progress.
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Despite efforts by the school’s governing body to turn its fortunes around, the 151-year-old school had been operating at a deficit since 2019.
By November last year, pupil numbers were at 15, from a capacity of 100 pupils.
Discussing the results of a consultation about the school’s closure at a Sefton council cabinet meeting today, director of children and family services, Lisa Lyons, said there were currently no children attending the school.
Ms Lyons said the council was working towards a closure timetable in May, with members of cabinet asked to note and agree recommendations to proceed with the process to close the school.
The report said the school’s current deficit of £134,500, to be absorbed by the council, looks set to increase ahead of its closure, although the council is hopeful some of the council’s dedicated school’s grant will be made available to offset those costs.
Council leader Cllr Ian Maher said of the recommendations, “It’s reluctantly, but agreed.”
The next stage in the closure process following the consultation will be the publication of a legal notice in March, followed by a four week representation period, with the final decision of closure due in May, marking the end of an era for a school which had once been at the heart of the community.
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