School Organisation
Local Authorities are under a statutory duty to ensure that there are sufficient school places in their area, promote high educational standards, ensure fair access to educational opportunity and promote the fulfilment of every child's educational potential. They must also ensure that there are sufficient schools in their area, with a view to promoting diversity and increasing opportunities for parental choice.
Parents can make representations about the supply of school places and Local Authorities have a statutory duty to respond to these representations. Further guidance on this duty is available in Duty to Respond to Parental Representations about the Provision of Schools.![(MS Word [139.5Kb] opens in new window)](/images/Word.gif)
Primary Schools
In response to the Education & Inspections Act 2006 and in preparation for the requirements of the Primary Capital Programme, in December 2007 Liverpool City Council revised its School Organisation Policy![(PDF [363.9Kb] opens in new window)](/images/PDF.gif)
and its review criteria.
To secure funding from the Primary Capital Programme the Authority submitted a Primary Strategy for Change which sets out the vision for Liverpool's primary schools. This was approved by the DCSF in April 2009.
Currently the Authority is reviewing all primary schools citywide to make best use of the funding and identify key priorities. For further information on the review please use the Citywide Review link on the left.
Secondary schools
In Autumn 2007 the Authority carried out a citywide review of secondary school provision as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme. For further information visit the Liverpool Building Schools, Skills, Success website.
Statutory changes to schools
The following changes to school organisation arising from a review will need to follow a statutory process;
- Closing a school
- Opening a new school
- Amalgamate' or 'merge' two schools
- Expanding the capacity or age range of a school
- Removing or adding an SEN unit
- Change of site (if more than a specified distance)
- Other changes such as changing gender or boarding provision
The first step in this process is to consult those affected. For details of current consultations please use the consultation link on the left.
The guidelines and regulations for these changes can be found at the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) School Organisation Unit website
Any proposed change to the admission number of a school is dealt with as part of the admissions consultation