Learning through the creative and performing arts
LIVERPOOL residents are invited to give their views on LIPA Primary School, a free school which opens in the city this September.
A public consultation is being held from February 3 to March 14, the results of which will be published and used to help fine-tune plans for the school.
Informal drop-in sessions hosted by head teacher Greg Parker are being held on February 13 and March 1. They take place at The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), on Mount Street, which is launching the school in partnership with Edge Hill University.
As part of the curriculum, pupils will be immersed in the creative and performing arts to promote the early development of literacy and numeracy.
Greg, a teacher and teacher trainer from Warrington with 20 years of experience, said anyone interested in the school is welcome to come along.
Greg said: “This is a great opportunity for people in Liverpool to have their say on this exciting project. A school is a key part of any community and as such we’re keen on hearing people’s views and thoughts on what we’re doing. Anything new like this is going to generate questions: we’re here to answer them and to listen to comments, observations and suggestions.”
The launching of the school – one of over 100 given the green light by the Department of Education in May 2013 – is the latest chapter in the history of LIPA, which was co-founded by Mark Featherstone-Witty OBE and Sir Paul McCartney in 1995 to provide the best teaching and learning for people who want to pursue a lasting career in the arts and entertainment industry.
Sharon Gray, named Teacher of the Year at the 2013 Pride of Britain Awards, in recognition of her work as head teacher of Netherfield Primary School in Nottingham, is helping develop the curriculum.
The school plans to open in September 2014 in the Dean Walters Building on Upper Duke Street (L1 7BT]), near LIPA’s central Liverpool campus. It will start with two Reception year classes.
*The informal drop-in sessions will be held at LIPA on Thursday 13 February 2014, from 4pm to 7pm, and on Saturday 1 March 2014, from 10am to 1pm.
*To participate in the consultation process please visit www.lipa.ac.uk. The consultation period ends at 5pm on March 14 2014.
*If you would like to receive information about LIPA Primary School please ring 0151 330 3000, Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm.