Red tape delays new Wavertree school opening, MP says

Parent Amirah Akhtar said she "felt her son's heart break" when she told him the school would not be opening

An MP has called on the education secretary to explain the "red tape" which has stopped a secondary school in her constituency opening as planned.

About 100 children were expecting to start at the Kings Leadership Academy in Wavertree, Liverpool in September.

But the school cannot open as it has not yet received planning permission, parents have been told.

Liverpool Wavertree MP Paula Barker told the House of Commons many parents were facing a "logistical nightmare".

The pupils concerned have now been allocated places at schools which were not on their list of five preferences, despite some putting the Kings Leadership Academy down as their first choice.

Parents were told earlier this week funding had not been agreed for the academy, because it did not yet have planning consent.

Jennifer Murshid said she had no idea the school might not open when she selected it for her son.

She said she was "shocked and confused" when he was offered a place at a school not on his list.

Ms Murshid has urged politicians to try harder to resolve the issue.

Jennifer Murshid said she had no idea the school might not open when she selected it for her son

Amirah Akhtar said the new school felt like a "once in a generation chance" for children in the area.

She said she had attended an open day for the school and was excited about its future.

Ms Akhtar said she had "felt her son's heart break" when she told him the school would not be opening.

She added the current school admissions system was not working, particularly for families in the area.

Minutes of a Liverpool council committee meeting from November showed a concern about the timetable for the school to open was raised, but councillors were assured the new school would open on time.

The council's planning portal showed an application for the site, on Wavertree technology park was submitted on 1 February 2024 - a month before Year Six pupils received their offer of a place.

Kings Leadership Academy in Wavertree will not open as planned in September

Lord Mike Storey, former leader of Liverpool City Council and Liberal Democrat spokesman on education in the House of Lords, said despite being chair of the council's education select committee, he had not been made aware of any concerns the school would not be ready on time.

He said it "beggared belief" planning permission and funding could not be expedited.

He said given the huge demand for school places in Liverpool, "whoever is responsible needs to get on and make this happen for the parents and pupils of this city".

The secretary of state did not respond to Ms Barker's request for information.

The Department for Education said: "A provisional opening date has not yet been agreed for Kings Leadership Academy Wavertree but the department continues to work closely with the local authority and trust to progress this project."