Parents told not to bring their children in tomorrow for their own safety
20:02, 17 Jul 2025Updated 20:35, 17 Jul 2025
LIPA Primary and High School
A troubled Liverpool school that was recently plunged into special measures after a scathing Ofsted inspection has been closed tonight (Thursday) with immediate effect. LIPA School – which has a primary and secondary school within it – will remain closed for the rest of the term.
In a message sent to parents at the school, Liverpool Council’s director of education Jane Holmes explains that due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’ both sites of the LIPA School need to close with immediate effect and will remain closed for the rest of this term.
She writes: “We apologise for the late notice and inconvenience this may have caused, but this is for the safety of both pupils and staff. When we have any further information we will contact you.”
The notice adds that staff will be placed at the doors of the school in Upper Duke Street tomorrow in case any parents have not seen the message and to explain the circumstances, but confirms they will not be able to access the building.
For those families that have children who are due to go on a school trip to Alton Towers, the letter states that this is going ahead and parents can drop their children off as planned.
Ms Holmes adds: “If you are aware of parents who may not have access to this communication, please share and inform as appropriate. Thank you for your support during this challenging time and please be assured that this decision has been taken in the best interest of pupils.”
The news is the latest blow for LIPA School, which was the subject of a damning Ofsted inspection last week.
The education watchdog rated the school as inadequate in all areas and placed it into special measures.
Inspectors said that some children at the school do not feel safe and feel “scared or threatened by the poor behaviour of other pupils.”
Inspectors found that pupils at the school “persistently use derogatory and discriminatory language towards each other.” They said this this makes other pupils feel anxious and unsafe.
Damningly, Ofsted said pupils at LIPA School “are not prepared well for life in modern Britain.”
The Ofsted report followed an ECHO investigation, in which stressed and concerned teachers described LIPA School as “the most dysfunctional school they had ever worked at.”
Staff spoke out about a chaotic and at times dangerous situation within the school, in which pupil behaviour is out of control and much of the senior leadership team is absent – with staff morale said to be at an all time low.
LIPA School shares a name with with the performing arts academy founded by Beatle Sir Paul McCartney but is run by a separate multi-academy trust that also includes a sixth form college.
A spokesperson for LIPA Multi Academy Trust said: “We can confirm LIPA School will be closed for the last four days of term. We regret the inconvenience this will cause to parents and pupils, however this decision was made for the safety of pupils and staff which must take top priority.”