Council considers school closure

A Warwickshire secondary school could close and two others merge under plans being considered by county councillors.

George Eliot School, in Nuneaton, could close while Manor Park and Etone College could merge and be replaced with a City Academy.

The council says it could help improve pupil performance in the town, where grades are below the county average.

County councillors are due to discuss these proposals and plans to improve school buildings in the area later.

Plans for King Edward VI College and North Warwickshire and Hinckley College to share one site are also being considered.

'Remove barriers'

A county council spokesman said although standards in Nuneaton and Bedworth had improved in recent years, attainment levels were still below the rest of the country.

In 2007, 48% of pupils in Nuneaton and Bedworth achieved 5 A*-C GCSE grades compared to 62% nationally.

Mark Gore, head of education, partnerships and school development, said: "There is no reason why children and young people in Nuneaton and Bedworth shouldn't achieve the same academic success as their peers in other parts of the county.

"With a clear strategic plan and the opportunity for capital investment, we can improve the life chances of all children and remove the barriers that are standing in the way of opportunity."

A public consultation will also be held on the proposals.