Parents of pupils at LIPA primary and high school say they are “not giving up” as they continue the fight to save the school from closure after the controversial announcement last month.
The arts focused school on Upper Duke Street is in the final stages of a closure decision, following concerns over finances and falling pupil numbers.
Anna Mulholland, a parent to 15-year-old LIPA pupil said: “The email was worded as though it was a done deal.”
She said: “We’re in a ‘listening period’, but we don’t feel like anyone is listening.”
Some parents have met with local MP Kim Johnson however were left dissatisfied with the outcome and are calling for stronger support. Mersey News Live contacted Ms Johnson for a response but at the time of publication had received no reply.
Parents say the closure is expected to cause great difficulty to GCSE students, with some facing the prospects of changing subjects midway through their studies.
Liverpool councillor Liam Robinson told the BBC that: “everyone will be accommodated” with places elsewhere.
However Ms Mulholland said: “No matter where she ends up, she’s going to be at a disadvantage.”
Parents have also raised concerns about the impact on children’s wellbeing with some reporting difficulty sleeping and panic attacks. They have formed a WhatsApp group to coordinate efforts to keep the school open.
Caroline Batty, a parent to a reception child at LIPA said: “We’re not fighting for a failing school. We’re fighting for a school that we believe in.”
She added: When people think we’re just the little people and we’ll roll over, and they’re sitting in their ivory towers making all the decisions no, that’s just not going to happen.”
A petition to save the school has now received over 4,000 signatures and several protests held with one scheduled for 9am at upper duke street this Friday.
Consultation around the schools closure is still open and ends on March 27th 2026.
The save LIPA school petition can be found here: https://www.change.org/p/save-lipa-school-from-imminent-closure
