Liverpool’s newest secondary school, King’s Leadership Academy Wavertree, will operate from temporary modular buildings for the next four years after welcoming its first students this September. The arrangement was approved to meet what officials describe as a critical and urgent need for school places across the city.
The temporary campus, located at Wavertree Technology Park, currently houses an initial intake of 210 Year 7 pupils. Full planning permission has been granted for the structures to remain on-site while a permanent school building is designed and constructed, with a target opening date of 2028.
Key Takeaways
- King's Leadership Academy Wavertree has opened in temporary buildings to meet urgent demand for school places.
- The modular campus has planning permission for four years to accommodate students.
- A permanent school for 1,050 pupils is planned to open on the same site in 2028.
- Local councillors have raised concerns about the logistics of constructing the new school around the temporary one.
Addressing a Critical Shortage of School Places
The decision to open the new school was driven by a significant shortfall in secondary school places in Liverpool. Education officials confirmed that a temporary solution was essential to accommodate students for the new academic year, which began on September 4.
Richard Holliday, an agent representing the Department for Education (DfE), explained that the location at Wavertree Technology Park was chosen after a comprehensive search. He described the modular buildings as a "practical and efficient" way to meet the immediate demand.
The temporary school is situated on Rathbone Way, on the site of the former Sony offices. The DfE stated that this approach allows the school to begin operating immediately, alleviating pressure on other secondary schools in the area.
The Temporary Campus at Wavertree Technology Park
The newly installed campus consists of two main structures linked together. A two-storey block contains the main teaching classrooms, while a single-storey building serves as the main hall and dining area for the students and staff.
Campus by the Numbers
- Initial Intake: 210 Year 7 pupils
- Temporary Permission: 4 years
- Future Capacity: 1,050 students (ages 11-16)
- Projected Opening (Permanent): 2028
These modular units are designed to be a short-term solution. According to Mr. Holliday, they can be removed with "minimal disruption" once they are no longer needed, clearing the way for the final stages of the permanent school's construction.
The four-year approval provides a timeline for the Great Schools Trust, which runs the academy, to finalize the design and begin a phased construction of the new, permanent facility.
Concerns Over Construction and Logistics
While the new school has been welcomed as a necessary addition to the city's education landscape, some local officials have expressed concerns about the long-term plan. During a planning committee meeting, Councillor Mary Rasmussen questioned the logistics of the project.
"I genuinely cannot welcome this school enough; we need more good places," Cllr Rasmussen stated. "I do have concerns over the overlap of the new build and the modular units building up to accommodate the children."
Her primary concern focused on the challenge of building the permanent school on the same site while the temporary campus is fully operational. With the school expected to be at full capacity with new year groups joining annually, managing construction alongside the daily activities of hundreds of students presents a significant challenge.
Cllr Rasmussen also voiced apprehension about the extended use of modular buildings, noting that while they are "brilliant when they’re used for a short space of time," a four-year period raises questions about the student experience.
A Permanent Home for 2028
The long-term vision is for a state-of-the-art secondary school capable of accommodating 1,050 students from ages 11 to 16. The current plan involves demolishing the former PlayStation office building, which was deemed unsuitable for conversion into a modern educational facility.
About the Great Schools Trust
King’s Leadership Academy Wavertree is the fifth secondary school operated by the Great Schools Trust. The trust already runs two other secondary schools in Merseyside: King’s Liverpool in Dingle and King’s Hawthornes in Bootle. It also manages two primary schools, King’s Northway in Wavertree and King’s Lander in Litherland.
Officials have outlined a phased approach for the transition. As sections of the new school are completed, students will gradually be moved from the temporary classrooms into their permanent learning spaces. This strategy aims to minimize disruption to their education during the construction period.
If the project remains on schedule, the new permanent home for King's Leadership Academy Wavertree is expected to be fully open and operational by the 2028 academic year, providing a much-needed, modern educational facility for the community.