Funding for New Liverpool School Still Pending

A new secondary school in Liverpool, originally set to open in September, has yet to receive its promised funding from the government. The Kings Leadership Academy in Wavertree has experienced delays due to planning permission issues, pushing its opening to September 2025.

The school was slated to be established at the former site of Sony's building in Wavertree Technology Park, but a late application to change the building's use from an office to a school was submitted in February 2024, preventing completion in time for the upcoming school year. Consequently, about 100 pupils who selected the school as their first choice have been assigned to other schools.

Full planning permission for any necessary additional building work still needs to be obtained. There is significant competition for secondary school places in south Liverpool, with the council having warned two years ago of a continuing "surge" in demand for places.

The new school, part of a multi-academy trust operating in the north-west of England, was expected to help alleviate this issue. The deadline for secondary school applications is at the end of this month. While Kings Wavertree was included on Liverpool City Council’s official application form last year, it is now managing its own admissions and is not listed on the council's form. Parents can apply directly to the school but must also submit an application to another school through the council.

In a statement, the school emphasised that offers of pupil places will depend on a funding agreement with the Secretary of State. They encourage parents to submit applications to existing schools via their local authority by the October 31 deadline.

Lord Mike Storey, former leader of Liverpool City Council and current Liberal Democrat spokesperson on education in the House of Lords, stressed the urgency of opening the school, citing the difficulties families face in securing nearby school placements, often being assigned schools far from their homes. He expressed surprise that preparations were not finalized sooner and has urged an education minister to investigate the situation.

A Liverpool City Council spokesperson confirmed their support for the Kings Leadership Academy project, stating that their priority is ensuring all children receive a Year 7 place on National Offer Day. They advised parents to apply to the council by October 31 and to review additional entrance requirements for individual schools, recommending that they select five different schools to maximize their options.