Major change at 'coasting' Liverpool school

A Liverpool secondary school is to complete its transition to academy status after being deemed to be “coasting.” From December 1, Gateacre School will leave local authority management and become part of the Northern Schools Trust.

After first being notified of the change last January, it had been expected the transition would be completed by this summer’s term. Ahead of the move, the trust confirmed Gareth Jones relinquished his role as headteacher with immediate effect in March.

Northern Schools Trust operates North Liverpool Academy, Liverpool Life Sciences UTC and The Studio School. Phil Lloyd, executive principle at the trust, said Mr Jones’ decision to step aside would enable Northern Schools to continue the conversion process of bringing Gateacre in line with its existing portfolio.

READ MORE: Big change to bus routes could be coming to Liverpool soon

READ MORE: Stark number of rough sleepers needing help as temperatures plummet

New documents released by Liverpool Council has confirmed when the move will complete and the reasons behind it. A delegated authority report set out how the council was informed in January 2023 that Gateacre Secondary School met the legal definition of a coasting school. The school was not making significant improvement and, following successive ‘requires improvement’ inspection outcomes, the Department for Education (DfE) informed the school and the council that a sponsor would be sought so the school could convert to an academy as part of a Multi-Academy Trust.

The academy order requires the local authority to cease to maintain the school on conversion. Writing to families earlier this year, Mr Lloyd said: “I will be working with the governing body, staff team, pupils and parents at Gateacre to ensure that the young people in our care receive the very best educational opportunities and pastoral support.

“Northern Schools Trust has developed some of the most successful schools in Liverpool. We look forward to Gateacre being a part of the trust and ensuring the highest standards in everything we do including student attainment and progress, destinations, attendance and punctuality.”

Ofsted findings published in January said pupils were not achieving “as well as they should” owing to “weaknesses in the design and delivery of the curriculum in some subjects.” The report added: “In addition, the sixth form programme of study is not broad or ambitious enough. Students do not develop a deep and secure body of knowledge securely over time.

“This limits their success in their next stage of education, employment or training.” Last year it was revealed how Gateacre School was hit hardest by a massive error by Liverpool Council over its energy contract.

Schools across the city were left with an additional bill of £2.3m when leaders were not informed that the electricity provider it was dealing with had withdrawn from the commercial market in 2022, leading to the council - and other city institutions including schools and the fire service - being placed on a far more expensive contract. As a result, Gateacre was left with a bill of more than £250,000.