PART of a multi-million makeover of Liverpool’s high schools could grind to halt after parents launched a legal challenge.
Today it was confirmed a firm of solicitors has on behalf of parents lodged papers with the High Court seeking a Judicial Review and for a proposal to throw out Liverpool council’s decision to consign Croxteth comprehensive to history.
If the bid by solicitors Irwin Mitchell is successful, the High Court could overturn the closure decision.
The court has also been asked to make an order immediately halt any work on the Croxteth reorganisation - part of a £485m transformation of the city’s high schools under the government’s Building Schools For the Future scheme.
The council decided that dwindling numbers meant the Croxteth and Norris Green could area could not justify retaining three high schools - with funding unlikely for schools with surplus capacity.
But now lawyers from Irwin Mitchell will argue the decision should be overturned because the council “failed to follow government guidance on school closure proposals, rejected serious alternatives and has discriminated against non-Catholics.”
The review would be among the first to be heard at the new regional Administrative Court - allowing cases previously heard in London to be dealt with in either Liverpool or Manchester.
A judge is expected to decide whether to proceed within the next few months.
The council stress its “robust and extensive” consultation was backed by the Local Ombudsman.
