Opening the doors to Birkenhead High School Academy?

£8,000 fees were to be scrapped as the prestigious school teamed up with the state sector, leaving parents concerned that when selection and exclusivity went out of the window, standards would follow.

Barbara Harrison of the Girls' Day School Trust (GDST) presented parents with an extremely polite "like it or lump it" - there were 640 pupils, but they needed a consistent 900 to maintain a quality of education.

The numbers spoke for themselves.

Throughout the meeting however, one fear was voiced. That a high flying school which selects from all over Wirral might suddenly be confronted with an uncomfortable truth.

Academies have to provide for children from the local area.

As the council's outline business plan for the re-modelling of the academy has stated, that catchment area contains pockets of deprivation, including some of the poorest children in the country.

Will they get the chance to attend?

Wirral Council's education member Cllr Phil Davies is making it very clear - yes - which judging by the reaction of some parents I spoke to at the 2007 meeting is their nightmare scenario.

You can't have your cake and eat it. You can't go to the state to help fund the survival of your school, yet maintain the selection habits of an independent one.

An October report to Wirral's Cabinet reveals that in Year 7 in 2009 58% of admissions were not from Birkenhead. Naturally there is phasing, but can we expect to see that number drop in the next couple of years?

Of the 42% that were from Birkenhead, but is it fair to say many of them may well be from the more affluent parts of Prenton and Oxton?

Numbers aside, my visit was a testament to the principal Carole Evans, bright, happy kids, staff that wholeheartedly offered their support for the academy move and, as you might expect, brilliant Ofsted reports.

She retires next year and a brief look at the Times Educational Supplement advertisement for the vacant position oultines not only a negotiable six-figure salary, but also the need to "expand community involvement".

Does community invovlement mean more local kids?

Asking the Girls Day School Trust about the council's statement of intent reminded me of schooldays and my own efforts at maths. Lots of effort. Very little accomplishment.

Despite the academy utilising public cash, it was a resounding "no comment".

Anxiety for parents is natural, but I do not believe that poorer children means a worse school.

As for the trust's dealings with the press...must try harder.