Pupil Numbers Continue to Fall

SCHOOLS in Flintshire face increasing pressure from falling pupil numbers and a costly pounds 35m backlog in repairs.

A new report warned councillors yesterday that to do nothing was not an option.

Some schools will have to close with the money saved invested in a new education structure for the 21st century.

But officials ruled out a “school closures option only” and said a full review of the county’s schools organisation was now needed.

Merely to close schools would impact unfairly on some communities, would mean pupils travelling further and would be without a clear educational rationale, the report said.

The priority should be to develop a pattern of schooling to deliver quality education.

The county executive is expected to agree to set up of a task group involving councillors, officials and head teachers.

Deputy education director Heather Loveridge warned the financial implications were considerable.

Changes would have to be financed from a combination of Welsh Assembly cash, the council’s building fund, borrowing and re- investing the money secured from selling off school sites