Liverpool girls school gets govt go-ahead
The Department for Education has given its approval to the future location of Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy in Liverpool’s L8 ward, despite the plot being smaller than the recommended four acres for a secondary school.
The site had been a point of contention between the council, the local community, and the department. Originally, Liverpool City Council had planned to put forward a four-acre site bordering Upper Parliament Street, Mulgrave Street, and Selborne Street for the academy. The downside was this plot included the African Caribbean Centre, which the city council had said it would relocate.
The temporary loss of the centre did not go down well with the community, with protestors making their opinions known at two council meetings.
Taking that on board, the city council changed up its plans, removing the problematic portion of the site – which made up roughly a third of the plot. The local authority submitted these plans to the DfE in July.
The original proposed site is outlined in red, with a blue outline, added by Place, around the plot that has since been removed. Credit: via Liverpool City Council report
There had been worries that being under four acres would mean the Department for Education would reject the proposal. However, Liverpool City Council Leader Cllr Liam Robinson met with Georgia Gould, the minister for schools, to argue that an 800-place secondary school was still feasible on the smaller site.
Gould clearly agreed, with DfE giving the proposal the thumbs up this week.
When it gets up and running, Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy will educate girls aged 11-18. Star Academies will run the educational facility, which will be a Muslim faith-based school.
The first year it is open, the academy will take 120 Year 7 pupils. It will take another 120 at the beginning of each academic year. The target opening date is summer 2028 – with a few more hurdles due to be jumped. This includes crafting detailed proposals, consulting with the public, and securing planning permission.
Robinson said: “We’re absolutely delighted that the Department for Education has committed to delivering the Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy in Liverpool 8.
“This marks a real milestone in a project that is set to bring a much-needed school that will provide an excellent secondary education for Liverpool girls.”
