WIRRAL has been told by the Government that its plans for reducing infant class sizes by September 2001 have been approved.

This strategy should ensure that no infant-age child will be placed in a class of more than 30 pupils in any Wirral school after that date.

Wirral has been given £273,000 immediately to spend on teachers to help schools move towards that target from next September.

Welcoming the news, Coun Mick Groves Chairman of Wirral's Education Committee said: "I confidently expect that even more money will be made available over the following years to make sure we meet our target. This is excellent news for parents and primary schools across the authority."

A further £583,000 has also been awarded to build additional classrooms to help eight schools meet the Key Stage 1 class size pledge. They are St Mary's CofE Primary, Eastham; Brackenwood Infants School, Bebington; Church Drive Primary, Port Sunlight; St Saviour's CofE Aided School, Oxton; Gayton Primary School; Prenton Infants School; West Kirby Primary School, and Great Meols Primary School.

Building work is expected to start later this year.

Additional classrooms are also currently being provided at Kingsway Primary, Wallasey; St Bridget's CofE Primary, West Kirby; Our Lady of Pity RC Aided Primary School, Greasby, and Barnston Primary.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.