THE BLUEPRINT for education reform in Crewe and Nantwich was drawn up in response to a falling birth rate, which has caused declining pupil numbers and a surplus of school places.

If implemented, the county council proposals would involve the creation of two children's centres, a community library, one secondary school from the amalgamation of two schools, and four primary schools from the amalgamation of four pairs of infant and junior schools.

Subject to Whitehall approval, children's centres are proposed for Pebble Brook Primary School and Westminister Nursery, while a branch library for pupils and the wider community would be built at Shavington Primary School.

Infant and junior schools suggested for amalgamation to create new primary schools are Broad Street Infant and Church Coppenhall Junior, Gainsborough Infant and Gainsborough Junior, Underwood West Infant and Underwood West Junior, and Wistaston Westfield Infant and Wistaston Junior School.

St Oswald's Primary School, Lodgefields Primary School and Buerton Primary School have been earmarked for closure, while Victoria Community Technology School and Coppenhall High School would merge to form one school on the Coppenhall site.

It is expected a public consultation on the plans will be launched at the end of this month, with consultation events at the Alexandra Stadium earmarked for two nights in November.

A final decision on the proposals would be made in March next year.