Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Nick Tyrrell

Liverpool primary school set for expansion as pupil numbers surge

A Liverpool primary school is set to be expanded as pupil numbers surge in parts of the city.

The council's cabinet is set to approve proposals to expand Blueberry Park Primary School in Yew Tree ward in an attempt to address growth in pupil numbers in the coming years.

The number of pupils in the city's primary schools is expected to grow by 1,965 between now and January 2022, a 5% increase. The growth is expected to happen at some level on a city-wide basis but the council is warning that it will affect some areas disproportionately.

It follows a 6.2% growth in the number of pupils in the city's primary and secondary schools between 2013 and 2020. Those seven years saw the number of students increase by 3,540.

The council said that despite a round of expansions in recent years, some areas still risk not meeting demand in the future unless action is taken.

Blueberry Park has been picked for expansion because of a projected increase in pupils in the coming academic year but also because of a planned development that would see 170 homes built in the area, meaning future increases are also likely.

To follow the latest news in your area, enter your postcode below.

A cabinet report said: "Citywide there is a projected increase for September 2021 Reception class intake, however this rise is not sustained in the subsequent years. There has been a disparity in growth across the wards, with some areas experiencing large increases, whilst others have remained static.

"As a response to the predicted shortfall of places in some areas in the city, some schools have been asked to admit a bulge year or where appropriate increase their admission number."

The expansion means Blueberry Park's reception intake will increase by 15 pupils, leaving it with capacity for 60 in total.

The move will see an extension built at the school, with two more classrooms, two groups spaces and changes to the toilets. The outside play area will also be changed.

The council's cabinet will meet next Friday to approve the plans.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.