LIVERPOOL City Council planning committee has approved the use of purpose-built temporary classrooms to enable the opening of the new King’s Leadership Academy site in Wavertree, delivered by the Great Schools Trust.

A funding agreement with the Department for Education has been confirmed, allowing the school to welcome an initial cohort of 210 Year 7 pupils from September 2025.

The school opened this September with that 1st Year 7 intake and will operate under the King’s Leadership Academy name as part of the Great Schools Trust family of schools.

The temporary classrooms are modern, constructed to a high standard, and fully equipped to support teaching and learning from day 1. These temporary facilities will be used while longer-term arrangements are progressed and will provide immediate capacity and high-quality accommodation for pupils and staff.

Long-term plans, still to be confirmed, are for a permanent school building to be delivered on land currently occupied by unused office blocks, with the temporary buildings remaining in place only until the permanent campus is completed.

The school is planned to grow to approximately 1,050 places for pupils aged 11 to 16 as the permanent facilities are developed.

To ensure safe and efficient access for pupils, staff, and the local community, the Council will deliver targeted highway and junction improvements near the site to upgrade a nearby road junction and improve pedestrian and vehicle access to the school.

These infrastructure improvements form part of the Council’s coordinated approach to supporting the new school and local active travel routes.

Cllr Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy, said:- “There has been a need to increase school places in this area of the City, so getting the King’s Leadership Academy established in Wavertree is really important. Obviously, the long-term key is getting the permanent school buildings onto the site. We will continue to work closely with the Department for Education, the Great Schools Trust, and local partners to oversee and progress planning for the permanent building, and coordinate the necessary public realm and highway works to integrate the school into the Wavertree neighbourhood.”

Cllr Jo Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Employment, Educational Attainment and Skills, said:- “This development is not only a response to the growing demand for secondary school places, but also a powerful investment in the future of our young people. The new academy will offer high-quality, inclusive education rooted in leadership and academic excellence, helping students from all backgrounds to thrive. We’re proud to support this project and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on families and communities across Liverpool.”