THE numbers of secondary school pupils in Warrington are set to fall by 11 per cent in the next decade according to new figures.

Warrington Borough Council says the projected decline has led to the current review of high school provision.

Clr Sheila Woodyatt, executive member for children's services, said: "We have very good schools achieving excellent results.

"The review aims to ensure that we maintain those standards now and for future generations. The new school building will help us to achieve that and is excellent news for the borough.

"Falling rolls will jeopardise these achievements because it will not be possible to deliver a full and broad curriculum.

"Schools are funded according to the number of pupils on roll, so if the roll falls and continues to do so, the overall funding of any one school is seriously affected.

"The Government has told us that keeping large numbers of vacant places in schools is not an option."

The secondary school population is forecast to fall by 1,470 pupils (11 per cent) in total; initially by 927 pupils (seven per cent), from 12,744 in January 2006 to 11,817 in January 2013 and then by a further 544 pupils (four per cent) to 11,274 pupils in January 2017.

The fall in numbers is especially noticeable in eastern and central Warrington, where a number of schools are already experiencing falling rolls and surplus places.

Clr Woodyatt said: "It is vital that people make their views known in the current consultation programme. No decision will be made until the views of all those affected by the review are fully considered."