A Liverpool school will permanently close next month following a court judgement today. LIPA School, situated in Liverpool city centre, is set to shut down at the end of the summer term in July.
Failed legal bid
This development comes after a last-minute legal attempt to prevent the closure of the Upper Parliament School by concerned parents and supporters failed in the High Court in Manchester today. The Save LIPA campaign group had sought to halt or delay the school's closure through a Judicial Review, but the judge dismissed their claim.
Background of the crisis
The Liverpool ECHO has reported for several years on the difficulties at LIPA School, which included a devastating Ofsted inspection last summer. Earlier this year, it was revealed that bosses at the multi-academy trust responsible for the school intended to close it permanently in July of this year.
In February, the ECHO exclusively disclosed that the trustees managing the troubled school had decided to shut it down this summer. A letter sent to parents at that time stated that the decision was made due to a "significant overspend" that had accumulated over several years, resulting in a "substantial historical deficit."
These problems were compounded by falling pupil numbers and last year's critical Ofsted report, which rated the school inadequate in all areas and placed it in special measures.
Department of Education decision
Despite strong protests from parents, pupils, and teachers, the Department of Education agreed with the decision to close LIPA School, confirmed in a letter to parents in mid-April.
Parents pledged to continue their fight and submitted over a thousand documents as part of a judicial review process, hoping to keep the school open. However, the case was heard at the High Court in Manchester today, where Deputy High Court Judge Christopher Kennedy ruled against them and dismissed the claim.
What happens next
As it stands, LIPA School will now close permanently at the end of the summer term next month. The LIPA Sixth Form, located on Upper Duke Street and run by the same multi-academy trust, will not be closing.
