Council submits site proposal for new School

PLANS to deliver a new School in Liverpool are approaching a significant milestone as proposals for the site are submitted to the Department for Education.

Eden Girls' Leadership Academy, Liverpool, to be operated by Star Academies, was approved in August 2023 by the DfE under the Free Schools Programme, in response to rising demand for secondary School places in the city. The proposed site for the School is on land bordered by Mulgrave Street and Selborne Street.

Initial proposals, approved by the Council's Cabinet in March 2025, included:- plans that would impact on the footprint of the African Caribbean Centre and were not considered acceptable to the centre's trustees and the wider community.

After discussions with the African Caribbean Centre's trustees and local ward Councillors, the Cabinet has now pledged to preserve the centre's building and surrounding land, which holds historic importance for the community.

The proposal submitted to the DfE now ensures that the land surrounding the community centre building will remain untouched, while still providing a site for the flagship School development.

The secondary School places that will be provided at Eden Girls' Leadership Academy, Liverpool, are vital to School-place planning so that the Council can fulfil its statutory requirement to provide School places for Liverpool's young people.

Leader of Liverpool City Council Cllr Liam Robinson said:- "We have been working hard with all stakeholders, to ensure that we identify a suitable site which is acceptable to the local community. We are now hopeful that the Department for Education will support the proposals enabling us all to progress to the next stage of the project. In particular, I would like to thank the trustees of the African Caribbean Centre who have engaged constructively with the Council, ward Councillors, and the local MP Kim Johnson over the last few months so that we can all move forward and work towards bringing this long-campaigned for School into the community. Star Academies have also been hugely supportive and deeply committed to working with us to deliver a School of which everyone can be proud. They have an outstanding track record of running high-performing Schools, and we look forward to welcoming them to Liverpool 8. As the project develops and moves through the statutory planning process, there will be further engagement with stakeholders, including:- the wider community."

Councillor Lucille Harvey, of Princes Park ward, said:- "I'm pleased that this project has reached a stage where we can move forward positively. I appreciate that the Council has listened to the trustees of the African Caribbean Centre and responded to their concerns. The centre has been at the heart of the L8 community for decades, and its place in people's lives should not be underestimated, so it is great news that it will retain its current site. I thank the trustees for their dedication and relentless commitment to protecting the African Caribbean Centre and the surrounding land. We know that our communities are strongest when they work together. A new School and a thriving community centre will bring real benefits to the L8 community for many years to come."

Cllr Carl Cashman, Leader of the Liverpool Liberal Democrats, said:- "The news that the African Caribbean Centre is here to stay is amazing, positive news for the community in Liverpool 8. It’s been great listening to so many people talk about how much the centre means to them and their community. I'm glad that it’s been protected; this is a huge win for the community and everyone involved in the campaign to protect it. I''m disappointed that Labour have rejected our request for a public meeting. It was really important that the council went back to the community to set out the facts and end any misinformation, as well as listening to the residents. What has been disappointing throughout this whole process has been the lack of transparency from the Council. Members received a briefing last Friday, the day after the information was published on the Council's Liverpool Express webpage. Lessons need to be learnt; members should be kept informed. As an opposition group, the Lib Dems will watch the progress of this project carefully to make sure the promises made are not broken and that Liverpool’s African Caribbean Centre is protected for current and future generations."

Education training experts offer tips on the mobile phones in Schools debate amidst calls for mobile phone ban in Schools

AS the conversation around mobile phones in Schools intensifies with 2 fathers planning legal action to ban smartphones in England's Schools, High Speed Training, a leading online training provider, is offering insights to help educators and parents navigate this complex issue.

The recent campaign, led by fathers Will Orr Ewing and Pete Montgomery, has brought the potential dangers of unrestricted smartphone use in Schools to the forefront of the news agenda. Citing concerns over cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and the negative impact on mental health, the campaign is calling for a legal ban on smartphones in all English Schools. This has been echoed by a number of headteachers and parent groups across the country who are independently advocating for smartphone-free Schools.

Dr. Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development, said:- "The question of whether to ban mobile phones in Schools is a complex issue, and it's clear there's no one-size-fits-all solution. While the risks associated with smartphone use are significant, a total ban could overlook key benefits like emergency communication, the development of digital literacy, and the opportunity to use phones as valuable learning tools. What works for 1 School may not work for another, which is why our goal is to empower Schools and parents with balanced information, helping them make the informed decisions that are best for their children and community."

The benefits of allowing mobile phones in Schools include uses for digital learning, especially for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), for research during lessons, for medical reasons such as keeping track of medications or to monitor diabetes, for internal communication, or for ease of contact for young carers.

However, the disadvantages of children having phones in School are numerous, and this is why the UK Government has issued guidance suggesting Schools prohibit the use of mobile phones in the classroom. These disadvantages include distraction, increased instances of cyberbullying, the exploitation and abuse of children via the internet and social media, and health and well-being issues associated with excessive screen time.

Dr. Anderson continues:- "The debate around mobile phones in Schools rightly involves everyone from teachers to parents and students. As the conversation around a nationwide ban grows louder, it's vital to remember that while addressing child safeguarding and screen time concerns is paramount, a blanket ban should not mean a lack of flexibility. Any policy must be implemented with compassion, allowing Schools the autonomy to make crucial exceptions for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), young carers, or those who rely on a device for medical reasons. Ultimately, a successful policy isn't just about banning devices; it's about creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment for every single child."

For more tips and in-depth guidance, visit High Speed Training Hub, or to read the full debate article and to download the free mobile phone policy template, please visit:- Mobile Phones in Schools Debate:- Advantages and Disadvantages

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