The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) primary and secondary school is set to permanently close at the end of the summer term, despite efforts made by a parent-led campaign to keep its doors open.
The Department for Education upheld the decision to permanently close LIPA in August, following a number of complications within the school and from its management.
LIPA was rated inadequate by Ofsted in all five categories at its most recent inspection, including Leadership and Management, Quality of Education and Personal Development.
The Department of Education (DfE) and Liverpool CIty Council claim they’ll support parents in locating new schools for children affected. However, parents of LIPA students have argued that the assistance from the DfE and the Council has been “minimal.”
The Save LIPA campaign
The Save LIPA campaign was established upon the announcement of the school’s closure in February, which members considered a “complete blindside” with “no warning or foresight.”
A parent spokesperson from the Save LIPA campaign, who wanted to remain anonymous, said, “The school has undoubtedly had difficulties; to deny that would be delusional. However, it’s been systemically dismantled to put it into the managed decline it has fallen victim to.”
Since the school’s Ofsted report in 2025, staff have advocated for change and better conditions. Ofsted has not conducted a follow-up report, and staff argue that positive changes have not been recognised.
“The vast majority of parents who had children enrolled at the time of the announcement joined the campaign to stop the closure,” the spokesperson said.
“The teachers have joined too, and a committee was formed with representatives to make formal decisions.”
The Save LIPA campaign has taken legal action and filed a case with the Department of Education. A representative has formulated an 18-month roadmap to take to the High Court, which “should prevent the school from ever being in this position again,” the spokesperson said.
The campaign is currently awaiting a decision from the Judge on an interim pause of proceedings, hoping this will be a “landmark case for the management of LIPA academy trusts.”
LIPA as an accessible outlet for the performing arts
LIPA School is funded by the LIPA Multi Academy Trust, which specialises in the performing and creative arts. The Save LIPA campaign spokesperson said, “The curriculum is project and arts-based, but accessible to all.”
Staff and parents of students at LIPA have stressed the importance of allowing pupils to exercise creative practises without limitations.
“Children from deprived areas often miss out on the opportunities that LIPA provides due to a lack of money. Music lessons and opportunities to perform on actual stages – to name just two.”
“For my child, the school was an intentional choice. I wanted my child to be in a school where diversity was woven into every aspect of it, not just for the sake of the prospectus,” the spokesperson said.
Staff difficulties at LIPA
Staff redundancies at LIPA date as far back to 2022, due to internal financial deficits. However, upon news of the closure, all current teaching staff will face job losses at the end of the summer term.
A current staff member at LIPA, who prefers to remain anonymous, said, “It’s just heartbreaking. These kids and their futures are just being completely ignored. I’m staying to teach for the students who are still here, but my position isn’t guaranteed anymore, you know? No one’s is.”
“I’m having to find new work. It’s not like there’s 100 new teaching jobs available, and it’s not like there’s 300 spaces available for kids at other schools,” the staff member said.
“We’ve been protesting and protesting and trying so hard to get our voices heard. It’s a tragedy for everyone involved. We’re such a small school, and us as teachers know our students inside and out. It’d be a shame to let it go to waste.”
GCSE students at LIPA
LIPA also offers specific exams that are unavailable at other Liverpool schools, which means pupils completing certain GCSE subjects are moving to other schools that do not offer the same examinations.
The complications from within the school, including funding and staff strikes, have also affected current GCSE students and their access to learning facilities.
A current year 11 LIPA student, Theo Reynolds, aged 16, said, “The school lost so much of its money and were essentially poor, causing teachers to strike for fair pay. During these strikes in years 10 and 11, we were forced to stay out of school for a second time, missing our valuable learning hours for GCSEs again.”
“Now, at GCSE season, we still haven’t even completed three-fourths of the maths curriculum, or even the history curriculum. It’s resulted in me having to teach myself most of the content beforehand.”
GCSE tutoring
Some students in similar situations to Theo have had to take up private tutoring sessions to make up for unfinished content.
The parent of a GCSE student at LIPA, Siobhan Parrott, said, “My daughter is starting her GCSE’s this month and I’ve had to pay for a tutor. We’re in a lucky enough position to be able to provide that for her, but there are certainly other students at that school who won’t be as lucky.
“I feel for her. She’s had such a difficult time at school, and all this mess couldn’t have come at a worse time,” Siobhan said.
The Save LIPA campaign is currently waiting to find out if its challenge to the closure will succeed. Members intend to take further legal action against the DfE and LIPA Multi-Academy Trust.
