Plan to merge single-sex schools

Two single-sex grammar schools in Lincolnshire could be merged in a plan to tackle falling pupil numbers.

Under proposals before the county council, Boston Grammar School for boys and Boston High School for girls will become a mixed grammar school.

From September 2008, both sites would start admitting both boys and girls.

The final plan is to bring both schools together on one site from 2010 or 2011. The headteachers from both schools have said they back the proposals.

Councillor Christine Talbot from Lincolnshire County Council said: "I believe the merging of the two grammar schools into a single, mixed grammar school is the best way of guaranteeing the long-term provision of grammar school education in Boston."

A study will now be commissioned to determine which of the two sites will be most suitable for the merged schools.