Liberals Protest at Lack of Single Sex School Places

At the Education Scrutiny Committee on 11 the September, Liberal Party Councillor Steve Radford queried that there was a consistent lack of single sex school places in Liverpool.

Taking into account first preferences only there were 380 parents seeking the 240 places at Holly Lodge Girls School, whilst there were over 300 parents seeking 240 places at the West Derby Boys School.

Education officials said they were not considering any steps to increase the supply of single sex secondary education places.

The Liberal Party Group of Cllrs Steve Radford, Hazel Williams and Chris Lenton have now tabled a formal council motion to seek options to respond to parental demand.

In the Catholic sector Broughton High School for girls have an excess demand of 30 first preferences

"This is not about us dictating to parents but us responding to parental demand, we have a golden opportunity with the pending single siting of West Derby Boys to plan for changes now" rounded Steve Radford.

Over the city 92% of parental first choices are met, the question of single sex school places is the only major point of conflict and a considerable number of allocation appeals.