Staff and students at Christ the King Catholic High School and Sixth Form Centre in Birkdale in Southport are celebrating after the Department for Education confirmed that the school is set to benefit from a complete rebuild.
Work on the project is already beginning, with surveyors currently on site and early discussions taking place between Christ the King Catholic High School, the Archdiocese of Liverpool and the Department for Education to help shape plans for the development.
Although the project is expected to span several years, similar school rebuilding projects across the archdiocese have been delivered in as little as three years.
Erin Wheeler, Headteacher of Christ the King Catholic High School and Sixth Form Centre, said: “This is simply fantastic news for Christ the King! The school’s first students walked through our doors back in 1966, we they have now retired for over a decade.
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“It is time for our school to have our next exciting chapter to give our existing and future students an incredible learning experience. The plans we are discussing are hugely exciting, and the new building will ensure that we continue to deliver the very best for our students.
“I would like to thank the Archdiocese of Liverpool for its unwavering support in helping to secure this new build, Patrick Hurley MP for being a key driver throughout the application process, and Sefton Council for its support.”
Under the current plans, it is likely that the existing school building will remain in use while the new school is constructed, helping to minimise disruption to pupils and their education throughout the project.
Erin added: “This is something that is hugely beneficial as it will allow pupils to continue their education in the existing school while the new building is constructed, helping us to minimise disruption.”
While final plans and timelines have yet to be agreed, other schools in the archdiocese have taken around three years from planning to completion.
The Archbishop of Liverpool, Archbishop John Sherrington, welcomed the announcement, saying: “We are delighted with this news, which will enable us to continue delivering high-quality Catholic education in Southport.
“We know the town has faced significant challenges in recent years, and this investment represents a positive and hopeful step forward for the whole community.”
Patrick Hurley, MP, said: “This is fantastic news for Christ the King, its pupils, staff and the wider Southport community.
“Christ the King has served local families for 60 years, and this rebuild will help ensure that future generations of young people have access to the high-quality learning environment they deserve.
“I look forward to working with the school, the Archdiocese and the Department for Education as plans progress in the years ahead.”
The announcement comes ahead of Christ the King Catholic High School and Sixth Form Centre’s Open Evening on Tuesday 22 September, from 4pm to 7pm, when prospective pupils and their families will have the opportunity to visit the school, meet staff and learn more about its exciting future.
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