Wirral Council's children, young people, and education committee has approved plans to begin a public consultation on the closure of Millfields Church of England Primary School in Eastham, Wirral. The school currently has just 19 pupils.
A council report describes consulting on the closure as "the most responsible, sustainable and deliverable course of action."
Financial position and pupil numbers
The school's financial position is stark. A report to the committee said: "Based on current projections, the school's financial position is not sustainable within any reasonable planning horizon, with a forecast deficit projected of £2,449,537 by 2030/31."
The report adds: "If the decision is taken to close the school, the deficit balance at the point of closure becomes the responsibility of the council, along with the potential redundancy and pension strain costs."
The school, designed to accommodate over 200 pupils, has just 19 students. Over half of the current students are in year 6, meaning they will move on to secondary school next summer. Just three children joined the school in September 2026.
Ofsted inspection and next steps
Following an inspection in June, Ofsted placed the school in special measures, saying it requires 'urgent improvement'. The report said: "The curriculum that is in place is not taught well. Pupils have large gaps in their knowledge. Teachers do not check or address these gaps. This means that pupils routinely struggle to acquire new learning."
Councillors were reassured that if the school closes, there are sufficient places in other nearby schools for pupils to be relocated, and any closure would not take place until the end of the academic year. Following the consultation, any final decision on closure would return to the committee.
A joint statement from Wirral Council, Millfields CE Primary School and Diocese of Chester said: "We recognise that the coincidence of the publication of the Ofsted outcome with the report going to council committee next week will be difficult for pupils, families and staff. We want to thank pupils, parents and carers, staff and school leaders for the commitment, care and resilience they continue to show.
"The two reports need to be seen as separate. The committee report is not a result of the Ofsted outcome, it follows a wider review of the school's educational, financial and organisational sustainability. No decision has been made as to the school’s future, but the recommendation is for councillors to consider beginning a formal consultation on the potential closure of Millfields CE Primary School.
"The education and wellbeing of pupils remains our shared priority. Pupils will continue to attend school as normal, and we will work together to support pupils, families and staff, whatever the outcome of the committee process. If consultation is approved, everyone affected will have the opportunity to understand the evidence, ask questions and make their views known before any further decision is taken."
