[7] The construction was left to Messrs James Fowles and Sons, of Winsford and the building began with the foundation stone being laid down on 4 August 1894 by William Henry Verdin, Joseph's brother.

[8][9] The former Local Authority, Cheshire County Council undertook an extensive review of educational provision and surplus places during 2007 under the Transforming Learning Communities Programme.

The proposal would bring together primary, secondary and special provision in Winsford as one educational establishment with hopes it would be supported by Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

However, due to central government uncertainties, there has been a delay in the entry of 19 local authorities into the programme, including Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The site was once earmarked for former Local Authority, Cheshire County Council's original plan of a £73 million all-through school, which was ruled out due to a lack of available central funding.

[13] On 10 March 2010, the Local Authority, Cheshire West and Chester Council issued a document as the first part of the formal public consultation process and aims to provide as much information as possible on the proposal to close the two Federated schools on 31 August 2010, and replace them with one Academy on 1 September 2010 to serve the Winsford area.

It also seeks to gather views from students, parents, staff, governors, the local community and other key stakeholders who are interested in the proposal.

A key highlight in the proposal shows a decline in student numbers with over 600 empty places at the two Federated schools when combined, and there would be no additional funding to support the other options which have been considered.

The academy would open utilising the two existing school sites and the Local Authority will work with the sponsor to ensure smooth transition.

A meeting will be held today by the Cheshire West and Chester Council Executive Committee in Ellesmere Port where the fate will be decided in a vote open to parents and the public.

Should the vote result in the 'go ahead', a six-week period will follow to allow further representations from parents and other stakeholders before a final decision is made.

[16] On 5 May 2010, it was announced that Cheshire West and Chester Council Executive Committee had voted in the 'go ahead', deciding on a 'statutory notice' for the closure of the two Federated schools.

[17] On 3 June 2010, it was announced that a consultation evening was held by E-ACT last week for parents of pupils at Woodford Lodge High School.

For example, "parents and councillors have criticised the way the plans have been carried out after E-ACT was prevented from providing information by regulations governing publicity about anything considered political during the General Election".

Mr Martin Howlett, Principal of Winsford High School Federation said: "there were obviously concerns that were put forward in the public airing but afterwards there was a general feeling of positivity.

[18] On 5 July 2010, it was announced that following a meeting which was held on 2 July 2010 at Winsford Lifestyle Centre, and after hearing all-party support from Town and Borough Councillors and school Governors, members of Cheshire West and Chester Council Executive Committee have 'unanimously' agreed to the proposed plans to close the two Federated schools on 31 August 2010, subject to the Education Secretary making an agreement for a new Academy on 1 September 2010.

Verdin High School is the current favourite site in the bid for the new building, but has raised some concerns among residents in the surrounding areas.

Councillor Charlie Parkinson, of Winsford Town Council, said: "certain issues can't be addressed until funding for a new building is secured ...

In a letter sent to the academy's sponsor, E-ACT, said: "As you know, we have had to take some tough decisions on spending in order to address the public expenditure deficit.

To mark the event, lessons were suspended at lunchtime and both students and staff spent the afternoon on the school fields with food, music, prizes and wall/shirt-signing.

180 parents, staff and ex-staff attended, with speeches from Steve Meeks (ex-Head), Martin Fleetwood (ex-Deputy Head) and John Hanley, the first ever appointment to Woodford Lodge over 40 years ago.

Campaigners have "accused Cheshire West and Chester Council of doing nothing to safeguard the future of the centre should the current building stand in the way of Academy plans".

[33][34][35] On 13 October 2011, it was announced that as part of the first phase of public consultations, the local community will have the opportunity to learn more about the plans for the new building, share their views, concerns such as increased traffic and parking with many proposals now under consideration by the design team, as well as any questions they may have at a drop-in session, with representatives from the academy, Cheshire West and Chester Council and the proposed main contractor, Kier.

In addition to the designs of the new build mentioned previously, the sports hall will be five-court and a fitness suite will also be developed that would be open to the local community.

The access off Joyce Avenue, the former main entrance of Verdin High School and at present the academy, which was the biggest problem among residents, will be closed.

"[35][39] On 28 March 2012, Cheshire West and Chester Council have announced a £2.5 million investment to improve the A54 High Street and Grange Lane traffic signal junction, which is expected to be completed when the new academy building opens in September 2013.

[42] On 15 August 2013, it was announced that the academy's new building is ready for its first school term, with the Sixth Form's intake increasing to 150, having started from scratch two years ago.

Andrew Taylor-Edwards, Principal said: "Kier Construction and Cheshire West and Chester Council have made a potentially stressful process absolutely painless.

[48][49][50] On 14 January 2015, it was announced that The Winsford Academy has made the 'difficult decision' to suspend Sixth Form provision from September 2016 due to funding cuts and declining pupil numbers, and will revert to being an 11–16 school.

Mr Andrew Taylor-Edwards, Principal told the Chester Chronicle that "while the proportion of students opting to stay on for Sixth Form study has remained constant, recent cuts to funding have put 'increasing pressure on the financial viability of providing our small post-16 provision'".