Millfields Church of England Primary School in Eastham, which has just 19 pupils, could close after Wirral Council approved plans to begin a public consultation on its future. A council report describes consultation on closure as the “most responsible, sustainable and deliverable course of action”.
Financial challenges and pupil numbers
The school is facing significant financial difficulties, with a forecast deficit of £2,449,537 by 2030/31. The report warns that the school’s financial position is unsustainable within any reasonable planning period.
Millfields was designed to accommodate more than 200 pupils but currently has just 19 students. More than half are in Year 6 and due to move to secondary school next summer, while only three children joined in September 2026.
Ofsted special measures and next steps
The school was placed in special measures following an Ofsted inspection in June, with inspectors saying it required “urgent improvement”. The report criticised teaching and the curriculum, highlighting significant gaps in pupils’ knowledge that teachers were not adequately identifying or addressing.
If the school closes, Wirral Council would become responsible for its outstanding deficit, alongside potential redundancy and pension strain costs. Councillors were told that there are enough places at nearby schools to accommodate Millfields pupils if closure goes ahead.
No final decision yet
No final decision has been made about the school’s future. Any closure would not take place until the end of the academic year, allowing time for pupils to move to alternative schools.
Wirral Council, Millfields CE Primary School and the Diocese of Chester issued a joint statement thanking pupils, families and staff for their commitment and resilience. They stressed that the Ofsted findings and the proposed consultation were separate matters, adding that pupils would continue attending school as normal and that affected families would have an opportunity to share their views before any final decision.
