Building Schools for the Future programme

The Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme will rebuild or renovate most secondary schools in Liverpool at the cost of millions, with money from central government.  Despite regular refurbishments St. Hilda’s has outgrown its present buildings, so BSF is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to obtain better facilities for our pupils.  Unfortunately, our site on Sefton Park is too small for a rebuilt school. The governors agreed some time ago that a move would be necessary.

The three Anglican schools (St Hilda’s, Archbishop Blanch and St Margaret’s) were required to work together in planning for BSF. In this planning process, Liverpool Authority and the Diocese explored several potential sites for St. Hilda’s, but each in turn proved unworkable. The three schools had to come up with an alternative plan by the end of September 2009 or risk missing out on a share in the BSF money of approximately £60 million. The only offer on the table is for St Hilda’s and Archbishop Blanch to move to Edge Lane.

On 17 September 2009 the governors voted by a large majority for a move to the Edge Lane site. St Hilda’s will become a co-educational school, and so will be clearly differentiated from Archbishop Blanch School, which will be in an adjacent building.  This proposal will provide us with state-of-the-art school premises costing £25 million which can compete with any other school. It will enable St Hilda’s to survive and flourish as a separate school in the long term. It is now our job to preserve the distinctive ethos of St. Hilda’s in the transition to a new phase in our history. 

Timetable

We are only at the start of a long process.  For example, there will be a full consultation with current parents and the parents of pupils in primary schools before the new school is built.

It looks as if the move will not take place until 2014, depending on planning.  No boys will be admitted until the new school is ready and then only into Year 7. So a girl admitted to Year 7 in 2010 will have started her GCSEs before any boys appear in the lower school – and then only in the youngest class. It will take a further five years before St. Hilda’s is fully co-educational. 

As plans unfold we look forward to keeping you up to date through the website.