Parents in Eastham, Wirral, are "praying for a miracle" as Millfields Church of England Primary School could be shut down. Wirral Council has launched a consultation into the potential closure of the school, which has been placed in special measures by Ofsted.
The primary school has just 19 pupils despite having capacity for over 200. Its finances are also becoming increasingly untenable, with a projected deficit of £2,449,537 by 2030/31.
Parents and neighbours react to possible closure
Lynette Dixon, who has five children at the school, said she does not want it to close and is "praying for a miracle that it could stay open." She added: "The teachers are great. It's a really cosy, little school. I'm a single mum, it's quite stressful thinking they might have to go to another school."
Gustavo Cazas, who lives close to the school, was unaware of the potential closure. "I'm quite surprised to hear that," he said. He added: "It's going to affect the whole community and would be a massive loss."
Lisa Price, who lives on the same road as the school, said: "My kids went there but it's been going down hill for a while now. Whatever happens, the estate needs a school."
Consultation underway
Friends Colin Powley and Harold Jones shared these concerns. Harold, whose six children each attended the school, said he would be sad to see it go. Colin said: "I would like it to remain as a school, but if it does close, I just don't want the land to become housing."
A six-week consultation is currently underway, with those affected urged to have their say. The council insists no final decision has been made on the school's future.
The consultation was approved by the council's children, young people, and education committee last month. Councillors were reassured that if the school closes, there are sufficient places in other nearby schools for the pupils to be relocated, and any closure would not take place until the end of the academic year.
School's sustainability under review
Ahead of the committee meeting in October, a joint statement from the council, the school, and the Diocese of Chester thanked pupils, parents, carers, staff, and school leaders for "the commitment, care and resilience they continue to show."
The statement said the consultation is not a result of the recent poor Ofsted report but follows "a wider review of the school's educational, financial and organisational sustainability." It added: "The education and wellbeing of pupils remains our shared priority."
