PUPILS arrived for their first day back at two Merseyside comprehensives to be told the Church of England is preparing to take them over. Teachers broke the news to children in assemblies at Manor High, in Crosby, and Ainsdale High, near Southport, yesterday. The Daily Post revealed last week that Liverpool Diocese is considering buying both schools in a bid to cater for massive competition for places. Hundreds of teenagers are currently forced to accept places at secular or Catholic schools, because of a lack of Anglican provision in north Liverpool, Sefton and West Lancashire. The plan was last night welcomed by pupils and parents. Christine Brown, 40, from Manor Avenue, Crosby, is a parent governor at Manor High. Her daughter Jennifer, 16, has just entered the sixth form and Claire, 18, graduated last year. Mrs Brown said: "I think this will be a real boon for the school. The school ethos has always been to promote good pastoral care for the children but this will emphasise that. "The type of parents who consider sending their children to a church school are likely to share that ethos, so it is bound to have a knock-on effect in terms of the quality of pupils applying." One new sixth former, Clare Barker, 16, said the move would be a 'good, positive development'. She added: "I think the school will benefit from a more Christian ethos. It means we might be able to serve the local community more effectively." The takeover will effectively see around 1,300 places transferred to the Diocese by September 2005. The deal could run into millions if the church secures a government grant. Alternatively, the council may simply transfer all school assets. | 
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