A NEW secondary school for Middlewich, possibly including provision for a sixth form, could be in the pipeline if a series of meetings are successful.

Borough councillors Dave Sutton and Bill Morris are spearheading the campaign to improve the quality of the buildings at Middlewich High School and if necessary would be prepared to present the case for building a new school.

Clr Morris, who has also been appointed as a governor for Middlewich High School, said: "We are having a new primary school built in Middlewich and very soon the high school will not be able to cope with the demand. The town is growing and we do not even have a sixth form."

The councillors are also concerned that the building itself is nearing its sell-by date and fear large bills in the future as repair work will become a necessity.

To counter the problem before it occurs, Clrs Sutton and Morris have arranged a meeting with Cheshire County Council's education department to discuss the future of the high school and also any potential for regeneration or rebuilding.

Clr Sutton said: "We want to look at the buildings at the school as well as the possibility of incorporating a sixth form.

"But at the moment we are waiting for the results of a report from the Learning and Skills Council, which is discussing the future of further education."

Future

He added: "We need to look at Middlewich because if it continues expanding, what is the future of Middlewich High School? The building is getting older and repairs are ongoing and becoming more and more expensive.

"We need to determine the long term future of the school and the town and start planning for this and we need to look at how to make the school better and keep it up to date."

Clr Morris added: "We've got a new junior school so we need to see what we have to do to justify a new senior school.

"This is a big project and will not happen overnight. It could take three or four years, but it's something that we should start looking at as part and parcel of the future of schooling in the town."

ghellam@guardiangrp.co.uk