Birkenhead academy told it must cater for 'poorest' No place for snobbery, says cabinet member.

Byline: KEVIN CORE

THE former Birkenhead High School for Girls is to cater for large numbers of pupils from deprived backgrounds, a new report reveals.

The prestigious, fee-paying, selective school became Birkenhead High School Academy (BHSA) in September, 2009, despite the council making it clear that, in an era of surplus places, it did not want another state girls school.

Now, in the council's business plan for the multi-million pound remodelling of the Academy, it pledges the school will play its part in the borough's education strategy by taking on children from poor surrounding areas.

It reads: "The Academy is situated within easy walking distance of many of Wirral's most deprived young people.

"Historically, the former fee-paying independent school has not served such a community, but combined with excellent facilities and the academy's traditional ethos of high expectation, could be instrumental in transforming opportunities for a large number of deprived girls."

The decision to create the Academy gave education bosses in Wirral a logistical headache as Prenton Girls school already existed - ranked "outstanding" by Ofsted.

The document also begins the tendering process for a new-build 750-place boys Academy which has been proposed for Birkenhead.

Cabinet member for Children's Services and Lifelong Learning, Cllr Phil Davies, said no decision had yet been made on this Academy, but it had been necessary to instigate the tendering programme at the same time as that of BHSA, as it was a government requirement and kept the option open.

Referring to BHSA's intake, he said: "By and large it will be opened to an all-ability intake which will be a revolution for them.

"That was one of the big selling points that this was a school that had an excellent reputation but would be free for the first time broadly getting rid of selection - apart from 10% by aptitude.

"This high-quality school will be open to kids who would never in the normal course of events be allowed to go to that kind of school.

"There may be a snobbish element because of people moving outside their perceived social class.

"I was very clear that this was the deal that we were entering into.

"I'm very keen that kids from more deprived communities have that opportunity. If there are difficulties, I would be looking to the staff to make sure those children coming in from those backgrounds can assimilate and have the benefit of the facilities."

Birkenhead School headmaster John Clark said: "Regarding proposals for a new boys'' Academy, I''m very supportive of the idea. It would operate in what Frank Field has called areas of educational deprivation and the role of an Academy is to serve the local community. It will be non-selective, whereas we are selective so we are not in any sense in competition."

Despite repeated requests, the Girls' Day School Trust which runs the Academy refused to provide the Daily Post with a comment.

CAPTION(S):

Cllr Phil Davies Students outside Birkenhead High School for Girls