THREE primary schools face closure after a review of places across Manchester.

Council bosses say there are too many empty desks across the city's 132 primary schools and have argued the predicted birth rates mean more schools are struggling to fill classrooms.

Earlier this year six schools were earmarked for closure by the council under a review into the future of primary education.

But a report presented to the council has now recommended only three schools - Burgess Primary, Harpurhey, Nicholas Varley Primary, and St Mark's CE Primary, both in Miles Platting - should be closed.

They will be replaced by a new school.

St Augustine's Primary and Saviour Primary, also initially earmarked for closure, will remain open after discussions with the Church of England Diocese. They could eventually be replaced with a Church of England-aided school.

Broadhurst Primary, Moston, will also remain open. The report said the school had dramatically improved since the original review. and standards and pupils numbers were likely to improve further.

The report also called for Ancoats Nursery School to be closed due to low numbers. A final decision has yet to be reached. The recommendations will go before the council's executive committee next week.

Stable

There are 34,844 children in primary schools in the city, down from 37,588 in 2000. Although this number is estimated to remain stable, education officials say changes are needed to reflect the fall in pupil numbers.

City bosses say they now aim to create a better distribution of places across the city and to ensure cash is better spent.

Admissions at three schools will be increased to meet demand. Newall Green Primary will see a rise in the numbers of pupils from 540 to 630 and Brookburn Primary from 315 to 420. St Agnes Primary School is also likely to see admissions rise by next September.

Recommendations to reduce numbers at 14 other schools across the city are also contained in the report.

These include Crab Lane, Briscoe Lane, Ravensbury, Seymour Road, Abbey Hey, Varna Street, Old Hall Drive, Green End, Old Moat, Baguley Hall, Button Lane, The Willows, St Chrysostom's CE, and Claremont.

In addition, governors at Cavendish Community School have asked to reduce their admission capacity from 525 to 420.

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