Liverpool Council warns of looming school places shortfall

Liverpool education bosses say they are facing "a unique set of challenges" over school admissions

A "surge" in demand for secondary school places across a city could continue for another five years, a council report has said.

More than 5,400 people across Liverpool applied for a Year 7 place this year, an increase of 180 on the past year.

Council documents have revealed a projected shortfall next year.

Officials warned that a large demand for places in primary schools could continue through secondary schools until at least 2028.

Liverpool City Council only controls three of the city's 29 secondary schools and has no powers to make free schools, academies or voluntary-aided schools expand to meet demand, a report said.

It said: "This has provided a unique set of challenges."

A new free school - due to open last September - which "would have provided much needed capacity" was pushed back to 2024, a report said.

'Consider alternatives'

Sixty-five permanent places across three schools were created for the new school year, with a further 197 temporary places across 18 other sites, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Another 66 permanent places for next year have also been confirmed. 

It is hoped the new free school will provide 210 places next year, and more could come at a new free school scheduled to open in 2026. 

However, the report warned this may not be enough.

• Liverpool schools: How admission policies affect communities

It said: "While forecasts indicate the extra 341 permanent places that have been created since 2022 will address need for September 2024, they will not be sufficient for 2025-2028."

Officials said any additional places expected from the new free school in 2026 could not be taken into account and the council "must consider alternatives until the opening of the school is guaranteed".

In this year's admissions, a third of residents expressed a preference for five schools; Liverpool College, Archbishop Beck, St Edward's College, North Liverpool Academy and The Belvedere Academy.

More than two thirds of parents received their child's first preference, compared to 82% nationally while 10% did not receive a preferred offer.

The local authority's Education, Skills and Employment Committee will discuss the issue on Tuesday.