TWO of the Fylde's oldest and most prestigious single-sex schools are set to merge.

The governors of King Edward VII School for boys and Queen Mary School for girls, which were founded in 1908 and 1930 respectively, took the historic decision in light of Labour's plans to scrap assisted places.

The loss, they said, would leave the two schools £1.7million a year worse off, and shared facilities would enable them to cut costs.

They still have to apply for permission from the Charity Commissioners before they start a seven-year phasing-in of co-education in September 1999.

The governors predict an eventual cut in teaching staff from 85 to 55, though they envisage no forced redundancies.

Run jointly by the Lytham Schools Foundation, the governors chairman Mr John Bennett was upbeat about the changes.

He said: "We are confident that, if the Charity Commissioners approve the scheme we will be able to provide the very best in co-education for coming generations."

Mr Alan Kirk, chairman of the Parents' Association welcomed the move saying: "I think it's a very good idea, particularly in the sixth form I think they will benefit from mixed classes."

At present, 50 per cent of pupils at the schools rely on assisted places to pay their fees.

The scheme, which was set up to help bright pupils from poorer homes to benefit from a private education, flourished under the Conservatives, but is now being phased out to pay for smaller classes for under-sevens in state primary schools.

Eventually, the governors predict combined pupil-numbers will fall from 1,000 to around 600 reflecting the fewer families able to afford the fees.

There are no plans to stop using any of the buildings but a new name will have to be thought up for the school which will be in keeping with the two schools' traditions.

Pupils currently on assisted places will be able to continue and none of the present pupils will go into co-educational classes up to GCSE.

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