THE Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts has received the government nod to open a primary free school this September.
LIPA Primary School will focus on learning via creative and performing arts and will open its doors at the Dean Walters building, on Upper Duke Street, to its first intake of 52 pupils this September.
School site on Upper Duke StMinister for Schools Lord John Nash confirmed funding for the school, which is being opened in partnership with Edge Hill University. It will welcome two reception classes this autumn and will continue to take two new classes each year, resulting in a projected 364 pupils by September 2020.
LIPA says the school is already oversubscribed for its first year and has received more than 50 expressions of interest for 2015 entry. The school will be considering three form entry from September 2015.
Head teacher Greg ParkerLIPA Primary Head Teacher Greg Parker said: “This announcement means that we can start working in detail on realising our creative approach to education. We aim to become a beacon for others in how to use the creative and performing arts to underpin and inform a broad and balanced curriculum.”
The launching of the school – one of over 100 given the green light by the Department of Education in May last year – is the latest chapter in the history of LIPA, which was co-founded by Mark Featherstone-Witty and Sir Paul McCartney in 1995 on the site of McCartney's old school, the Liverpool Institute for Boys.
Mr Featherstone-Witty said: “Our focus is learning - at any age. I’ll be fascinated to see if our use of project based learning benefits our primary children, as it so clearly does our undergraduates.”
New Chair of Governors Flo Clucas added: “LIPA Primary School is an amazing idea! In the city that was European Capital of Culture, we will have a school that will give children their education in a different way, while ensuring that all of the skills that they need are taught to a high standard.
"Teaching through the creative and performing arts will give children the confidence they need, expand their learning experience and allow them to make decisions about their learning.”
