Union chiefs in Runcorn have warned they may pursue industrial action and legal challenges in response to council plans that could see a number of local primary schools closed, merged or federated.
What has been proposed
Halton Council has launched a consultation running until the end of this month on a range of changes aimed at addressing what it says are falling pupil numbers. The proposals drawn up for consideration include closures, federations, mergers and academisation affecting a number of Runcorn primary schools.
Measures on the table include consideration of the following schools:
| School | Action being considered |
|---|---|
| The Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School | Closure, federation or merger (including through academisation) |
| St Edwards Catholic Primary School | Closure, federation or merger (including through academisation) |
| Woodside Primary School | Closure, federation or merger (including through academisation) |
| Brookvale Primary School | Closure, federation or merger (including through academisation) |
| Weston Point Community Primary School | Recommend Wade Deacon Trust consult on closure to enable merger with Westfield |
| Westfield Primary School | Consult on closure if Weston Point merger does not proceed |
| Bridgewater Park Primary School | Recommend Heath Family Trust consult on closure or merger |
| Palacefields Primary Academy | Recommend Heath Family Trust consult on closure or merger |
Union reaction and action under consideration
At a public meeting convened by the National Education Union (NEU) at the Heath Conference Centre on Tuesday 22 September, Halton NEU district leaders outlined the union’s response. They said members were ready to consider strike action as a last resort and that their legal team would examine grounds for challenge.
“Strike action is always a last resort, and our members don’t want to be out of school. The last thing they want to do is you know feel like they’re abandoning the children who potentially are going to have no school. But ultimately that’s our last resort and that’s our final. That’s the best thing we can do to support the school.”
The quote was given by Debs Gwynn, Halton NEU District Secretary and a teacher in Runcorn, who also told the meeting a petition opposing the plans had already gathered more than 1,000 signatures.
Local concerns and wider impact
Parents and education unions have strongly criticised the proposals. The source reporting this story noted that a march had recently been organised by parents at one affected school. Union representatives also warned that closures would hit not just pupils and staff but local businesses and support workers who live in surrounding communities.
Halton Council has repeatedly emphasised that no final decisions have been made and that the current exercise is a consultation. Nevertheless, the proposals contain a range of significant options, from federations and mergers to closure and transfer to multi-academy trusts.
- Consultation timeline: Open until the end of this month.
- Union response: Petition of over 1,000 names, public meeting, possible strike action and legal review.
- Potential local effects: Disruption for pupils and staff; impact on local businesses and support services.
The proposals form part of a review prompted by falling rolls. In Runcorn, as in many towns across the North West, school place planning and the future of smaller primaries have become contentious issues as demographics shift. Parents, school staff and local leaders will now be watching closely as the consultation period closes and the council considers next steps.
Any moves towards closure, federation or academisation would trigger formal statutory processes, including further consultations and decisions by governing bodies, trusts and the council. The NEU has made clear it will use the full range of tools available to oppose changes it believes damage local education provision.
Halton Council has been approached for comment but has previously stressed no decisions have been taken while the consultation is live.
