A TEACHERS' union has called on Halton Borough Council to allay job fears following recent proposals for the closure of Fairfield High School.

The National Union of Teachers said it is 'concerned' about the impact of plans which could see Wade Deacon and Fairfield working together for five years until Fairfield itself closes in 2012.

The plans are part of the Government's Building Schools for the Future programme, which could see £100m of investment in Halton schools earmarked for education reform.

The council said that it currently has 1,000 too many school places available and the eventual closure of Fairfield with the transfer of its pupils to Wade Deacon is seen as the least intrusive method of making the necessary reduction.

The extent of the impact on teachers' jobs, however, is still causing concern to some.

A parent of a Fairfield pupil who attended a presentation on the proposals claimed that he was told at a meeting that the jobs of Wade Deacon staff have been 'ringfenced' while Fairfield teachers have been given no guarantees.

Noel Hulse of the NUT, said: 'With regard to the proposals we are very concerned about the potential impact on staff.

'Much anxiety exists at the present time and I would ask for reassurances from Halton Borough Council and also say that we want to work with the council and schools to make sure there are no compulsory redundancies.'

Gerald Meehan, Halton Borough Council's strategic director for children and young people, said: 'Part of the Government's criteria for accessing

Building Schools for the Future funding is to expand successful schools. Halton has considered these criteria and therefore we are proposing the expansion of Wade Deacon High.

'Halton is committed to working with all schools and all trade unions to offer as much employment security as we can.

'To this end we have already started to meet with colleagues from schools and trade unions to discuss details of a Building Schools for the Future workforce strategy that will support the full range of staff in our schools over the next five years.'