Charles Bartholomew was only appointed to role weeks ago in the hopes his experience could turn things around
11:14, 18 Jul 2025Updated 11:20, 18 Jul 2025
Charles Bartholomew has resigned as the CEO of the crisis-hit LIPA Multi-Academy Trust which runs LIPA School
The newly appointed chief executive of the trust running a crisis-hit Liverpool school which last night closed with immediate effect has resigned, just weeks after taking up the role.
On Thursday night it was confirmed that LIPA School – based in Duke Street – had closed its doors several days before the end of term. A message to parents said the troubled school – which contains primary and secondary provision – will not reopen this term.
The closure comes after an inspection by School Improvement Liverpool (SIL) – an organisation linked to the city council – which found safety issues. SIL’s director of education Jane Holmes told parents: “We apologise for the late notice and inconvenience this may have caused, but this is for the safety of both pupils and staff.”
The closure is the latest blow for a school in turmoil. In June an ECHO investigation heard teachers describe LIPA School as “the most dysfunctional” place they had ever worked. They told us pupil behaviour was out of control and staff morale at rock bottom.
This was then backed up a few weeks later as Ofsted published a damning report into the school, rating it as inadequate in all areas and plunging the school into special measures. Inspectors said some pupils did not feel safe because of the behaviour of others.
Ofsted found pupils at the school “persistently use derogatory and discriminatory language towards each other.” They said this this makes other pupils feel anxious and unsafe.
Damningly, Ofsted said pupils at LIPA School “are not prepared well for life in modern Britain.”
LIPA Primary and High School has been closed immediately
In response to our initial investigation last month, the LIPA Multi-Academy Trust, which runs the school and an associated sixth form, told us that decisive action had been to start to improve the situation, with Charles Bartholomew appointed as the trust’s new Chief Executive Officer.
A spokesperson told us that Mr Bartholomew – who was already the principal of LIPA Sixth Form College – would bring his “extensive experience in educational leadership” to the role of running the whole trust.
However, just a few weeks on from that statement, the ECHO can confirm that Mr Bartholomew has resigned from his position as CEO of LIPA Multi-Academy Trust.
In a statement released to the ECHO today, a spokesperson for the LIPA Multi-Academy Trust said: “We can confirm that Charles Bartholomew resigned from his role as LIPA MAT CEO yesterday lunchtime to prioritise his health and family.
“He will continue in his role as principal of the LIPA Sixth Form College before taking his long-planned retirement on August 31. The LIPA School leadership team will continue to work closely with School Improvement Liverpool to progress the school’s ongoing action plan.”
Some parents arrived at the city centre school today having not heard the news of the immediate closure and were turned away by staff.
On the sudden closure of the school, a trust spokesperson told the ECHO: “We can confirm LIPA School will be closed for the last four days of term. We regret the inconvenience this will cause to parents and pupils, however this decision was made for the safety of pupils and staff which must take top priority.”