COUNCILLORS have approved plans to merge two Wirral high schools during a cabinet meeting tonight.

They studied recommendations for closing Pensby Boys' High School from August 31 and altering the gender intake of Pensby Girls' High School from September 1 during a meeting at Birkenhead Town Hall.

The amalgamation plan was triggered by dramatically falling rolls since the millennium.

From a peak in 1999 when 836 boys and 844 girls attended Pensby's twin high schools, rolls fell to 380 boys and 510 girls in January this year.

Since May 2010, the two secondary schools have established a federation enabling them to work together more closely under a single governing body led by a single head teacher.

The school is presently just over half occupied.

Extensive consultations were carried out over amalgamation moves which would involve closure of Pensby Boys' High School and a gender intake change at the girls' high school to form a mixed sex secondary.

The consultation exercise prompted responses from 47 people, of whom 40 were in favour of amalgamation.

In a report to tonight's meeting Sally Gibbs, principal office, admissions and school place planning, observed: "Generally respondents indicated they understood the falling rolls situation and articulated their respect for school staff in their skills and relationships with pupils and parents."

She added: "Supporters expressed views in relation to improving and enhancing existing good practice and quality of provision; sharing excellence with all pupils across both schools; broadening the curriculum and providing choice for pupils."

A few parents had expressed concern that teaching boys and girls together would be disruptive - specifically to girls' education because of the prospect of "poor behaviour" by boys.

Ms Gibbs sadd: "The majority of pupils in Wirral attend a mixed sex school and Wirral teaching staff are used to managing pupil behaviour, including encouraging positive behaviour and dealing with incidents in a appropriate manner."

Class sizes were another issue raised by parents with some concerned over the impact of bigger classes following amalgamation.

Some classes presently have as few as 12 pupils.

The federation was set up on 2010 to assist with financial issues by allowing staff to be employed across the two federated schools under a single structure.

The high schools federation has set a balanced budget for 2014/15 but this has only been possible by the use of reserves totalling £350,000.

An Ofsted inspection of the girl's high school in October 2013 found it to be a good school overall.

However Ofsted finding the following October found the boys' high school needed improvement.