Significant investment will be ploughed into increasing school places in Whiston to support the growing population as the Halsnead Garden Village development continues to progress.

Three local primary schools will benefit from an increased capacity as part of a phased delivery over the next 10 years.

The Council has identified popular, established schools in the local area that are judged to be “Outstanding” or “Good” by Ofsted that can accommodate an increased intake.

Plans include the initial expansion at Whiston Willis Primary Academy to accommodate a two-form entry in time for the start of the new school year in September 2025.

Halsnead Primary School will also expand to support two-form entry by September 2027.

If there is demand, a further proposal includes the expansion of St Leo’s and Southmead Catholic Primary School, delivered in two phases, to increase to two and two and a half form entry, by September 2029 and September 2034 respectively.

The proposed second phase of expansion at St Leo’s and Southmead will be kept under review dependant on the demand for places at the time.

The investment in the additional primary school places in the area is funded through Section 106 contributions secured from developers at Halsnead Garden Village.

Cllr David Lonergan, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “I am delighted that we are able to provide additional school places to meet the demand from the new residents at Halsnead Garden Village. The Council has identified popular schools that are already well regarded within the community with a strong track record and a good reputation. There will be an equitable spread of new places across the three schools and the expansions will progress over the next 10 years as more new homes are delivered.”

Once complete Halsnead Garden Village will be the largest combined housing and employment development in the Liverpool City Region, delivering approximately 1,600 new, quality homes and at least 22.5 hectares of employment land.

Halsnead Garden Village will also provide 33 hectares of new greenspaces and a new, 28 hectare Country Park.