Council to propose closure of St Teresa’s after request from school governors

Sefton Council says it will consider the closure of St. Teresa’s following a request from the school’s governing body.

St Teresa’s has told Sefton Council this it has “exhausted all options” to increase pupil numbers.

The future of the school has hung in the balance since 2019, when St Teresa’s told Sefton Council it was suffering from significant financial pressures, however proposals to merge with Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School on Grantham Road were opposed by the school’s governors.

Previous plans to close the school met with significant opposition, while governors accused the Council of consulting over potential closure without informing them.

The school is one of the oldest in the Southport area having taught generations of families over the past 150 years. It caters for children between three and seven years of age.

A statement released today from Sefton Council says: “In line with a request from the school’s Governing Body, Sefton Council is starting procedures to propose the closure of St.Teresa’s Catholic Infant and Nursery School in Southport. 

“After being advised by the Governing Body that they have exhausted all options available to increase pupil numbers, the Local Authority has agreed to consider instigating the procedure for closing the school.

“To avoid any speculation or rumour, the school’s headteacher has written to all pupils’ families and has held a meeting with all staff. An announcement will also be made to parishioners at St Teresa’s R C Church on Sunday. 

“The letter tells parents that Sefton Council will progress the matter at the next Cabinet meeting, which will be held on Thursday 4th November.”