As part of a monthly series, we're delighted to follow Benjamin Barker's journey to the opening of King's Leadership Academy Wavertree, Liverpool
A New Year and New Progress!
Welcome to our latest update from King’s Wavertree! As we step into the new year, the excitement is building towards our grand opening in September 2025. Over the past two months, we have been working tirelessly behind the scenes, and we are thrilled to share our journey with you.
School Visits
Learning from the Best – We were delighted to visit Urmston Grammar before the Christmas break, where Mr. Barker and the King’s Warrington team experienced the inspiring learning environment firsthand. A special thank you to Director of Education Michael Scott for organizing this insightful visit. Our next visit will be to Wembley, London when we visit Michaela Community School in Wembley at the end of February. With its track record as the highest-performing secondary school in terms of progress, this visit promises to be an invaluable learning experience for our leadership team.
Supporting Future Educators
Last month, Mr. Barker, teamed up with King’s Warrington Principal, Mr. Hussain, at Edge Hill University. They participated in a full day of mock interviews designed to build confidence and enhance the skills of science teacher trainees. Reflecting on the experience, Mr. Barker shared: “It is always a pleasure to return to Edge Hill University, a place where we gather annually as a Trust for our September induction. The students demonstrated great promise, and I look forward to seeing some of them again during our own recruitment process.”
Government Support & Advocacy
We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from our local MP, Paula Barker. Her dedication to our school has ensured that King’s Wavertree is part of important discussions with Stephen Morgan (Parliamentary Under-Secretary – Department for Education). The unwavering backing from Paula Barker, the Department for Education, and Liverpool City Council has been both reassuring and inspiring. On the topic of support, we had the honor of welcoming Shane Ierston (CEO) and Dr. Andrew Reay (COO/CSO) for a site tour before the festive break.
Alongside them, we were joined by Liverpool City Council representatives Andrew Lewis (CEO), Reena Bhogal-Welsh (Director of Education and Inclusion), and Lila Bennett (Councillor and Cabinet Member for Employment, Educational Attainment, and Skills). Our discussions centered around the Trust’s vision and the incredible opportunities King’s Wavertree will bring to families in Liverpool. We extend our gratitude to our guests for their time, insights, and collaboration.
Parents, don’t miss out on this unique opportunity! Apply now for a Year 7 place at King’s Wavertree and secure your child’s future. This application could mean having two school offers on National Offer Day – one from the council and one from us, allowing you to make the best choice for your child. The deadline is February 28th – apply now!
Construction Updates – Exciting progress is underway:
- The Department for Education has approved a contractor for our temporary accommodation, ensuring we are fully equipped for our September 2025 launch.
- We are actively engaged in client engagement meetings, designing our first-year facilities to create the best learning environment possible.
- Construction is expected to commence by the end of April, pending planning resolution with Liverpool City Council.
Join Our Team
Are you an educator looking for a unique opportunity? King’s Wavertree offers the chance to be part of something groundbreaking in Liverpool. Be among the pioneering educators who will shape our school from its very foundations. Whether you want to build a department, lead school-wide initiatives, or refine your craft in an innovative environment, this is your chance!
https://kingswavertree.com/join-our-school/work-for-us
Our Governance: Character & Leadership Arc
At King’s Wavertree, leadership and character development are just as vital as academic success. We aim to instil qualities that shape our students into visionary, articulate, and confident leaders who act with integrity and humility.
Our Leadership Approach
We unlock student leadership potential through five key components:
- Theoretical Leadership
- Practical Leadership
- Enterprise
- Service
- Professionalism
- The Foundation Programme
Leadership education is integrated into our core curriculum, delivered by our King’s Academic Tutors through dynamic, expertly crafted modules. Students engage in theoretical and practical leadership activities, including:
- Leadership electives & enrichment
- Character Residential experiences (such as Year 7 trips to Brathay in the Lake District)
- Hands-on leadership opportunities throughout school life
- This holistic approach ensures our students graduate not only with academic excellence but also as future leaders ready to make a difference.
King’s Leadership Academy Wavertree is founded on international research and traditional values with a huge focus on leadership and academic development.
At King’s, the vision is “To develop in each of our students the academic skills, intellectual habits, qualities of character and leadership traits necessary to succeed at all levels and become successful citizens in tomorrow’s world”.
King’s Leadership Academy Wavertree are a proud member of the Great Schools Trust family of schools, a values-led Trust that wants their children to believe in themselves and develop the character traits necessary to make a difference in society.
Stay connected by following our progress on social media and attending our upcoming events.
