LIPA Primary and Secondary School in Liverpool will close permanently at lunchtime today, with parents, pupils and staff describing an "extremely sombre" mood. The school, based on Upper Duke Street, shares its name with Paul McCartney's performing arts academy but is run by a separate trust.
Background to the closure
The school opened in 2014, with secondary provision added later. It has faced crisis for some time; an ECHO investigation last year revealed concerns from teachers about leadership and pupil behaviour. A subsequent Ofsted inspection rated the school inadequate in all areas and placed it in special measures. A new trustee team took over at the start of this academic year, but in February the ECHO reported that the decision had been made to close the school permanently at the end of the academic year.
A letter to parents cited a "significant overspend" over several years leading to a "substantial historical deficit," exacerbated by falling pupil numbers and the Ofsted report.
Campaign against closure
Parents, teachers and pupils campaigned passionately against the closure, but a legal challenge was dismissed. Jerry Lonsdale, who supported parents in the campaign, told the ECHO: "They close the school at lunch time (Wednesday), there is still quite a lot of kids there." He added: "It has been extremely sombre for the past few weeks, kids and parents still upset it's closing."
Despite the sadness, a farewell party was held last Sunday at Liverpool's Adelphi Hotel, attended by over 320 pupils, parents and teachers.
Future plans and challenges
The campaign group is now considering a bid to reopen the Upper Duke Street site for project-based learning and hopes to engage new Education Secretary Lucy Powell. Parents have faced difficulties securing alternative school places; one appeal is scheduled for September 16. The LIPA Sixth Form College, run by the same trust, will remain open. The trust has appointed Heather Duggan as temporary CEO, who will work with Department for Education-appointed trustees to "shape its future direction."
