A HEADTEACHER has vowed that pupils' education will not suffer ahead of a crunch vote which could see his school disappear in a merger.

Cheshire County Council's executive is tomorrow (Thursday) expected to back a full council recommendation which would see Victoria Community Technology School and Coppenhall High School merge in September 2007.

A 1,050-place 'super school' with a new name and a shared staff, governing body and uniform would be built on the Coppenhall site at a cost of £15-20m.

Victoria head Mark Stanyer has moved to reassure alarmed parents and governors that everything will be done to ensure stability, with a staggered transition meaning the Victoria site will continue to be used until 2009.

They believe the merger is unwise because of rivalry between pupils of the two schools and chairman of governors Alan Harding last week warned the new school would be like 'Coppenhall with a dress on'.

The move is part of the county council's Transforming Learning Communities (TLC) plan which aims to cut surplus school places blamed on a falling birth rate.

But Mr Stanyer said: 'I knew there was uncertainty about the school's future when I took over two years ago but I saw it had fantastic potential and I'm very happy with the way it has progressed.

'I'm confident education will not suffer. Our SATS results have gone up again in maths and science and we are expecting to maintain our GCSE standards which have been the fourth most improved in the country over the last three years.

'Our Ofsted report in January said the school was sustainable and had the capacity to improve further so it's a massive shame from that perspective.

'But while it would be wonderful to re-main as Victoria I understand the rationale of TLC with falling rolls.

'Class sizes are now 20 to 25, but even with the merger they can't get above 30.'

Mr Stanyer denied claims that several staff had already left the school, pointing out that only one teacher had chosen to move on, in January, after being promoted to a post elsewhere.

'It is unsettling for the teachers but they are waiting to see how things develop over the next 12 months.

'Part of the TLC agreement is that should there not be jobs for them at the new school they will at least be offered a post elsewhere in Cheshire.'

* A decision on the proposed closure of Buerton Primary School has been adjourned until September 14 to allow more time for representations to be considered.