Construction firm Morgan Sindall starts work on multi-million pound project to build new Liverpool city region primary school, replacing one that was built in the 1950s. Tony McDonough reports
Morgan Sindall has started work building the new Lydiate Primary School in Sefton in a contract with the Department for Education (DfE).
This multi-million pound project well see the existing 1950s school, which is in a poor state of repair with significant structural issues and outdated building services, replaced with a new two storey primary school
It will have much improved teaching accommodation, external learning and play areas, sports provision, parking and landscaping. The project was procured through the DfE Construction Framework North West.
The redevelopment will allow the school to grow from one form of entry to two, creating additional places for local families as demand in the area continues to rise.
Pupils will benefit from a dedicated dance studio, a new forest school area, spaces for outdoor learning, upgraded technology and new landscaping across the grounds.
A separate drop off entrance has been designed into the scheme to ease morning congestion and make the school gates safer and easier for families.
Lydiate Primary will stay open throughout the build. With the site sitting within a residential area, the team has planned the works around the school day, with safety and security measures in place for pupils, staff and neighbouring residents.
Planning permission was secured in June 2026, following an application prepared by Pozzoni, the architect for the scheme. The wider Lydiate project team also includes Mott MacDonald, Clancy Consulting, Tace and Ares.
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Steven Gregory, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “Getting on site is the moment this project becomes real for the school and for Lydiate. The existing building has served its community well, but what we are building in its place will provide an even better place to teach and learn.
“The dance studio, the forest school and the outdoor learning spaces give staff far more to work with, and the new drop off arrangement will make a practical difference to families every morning.
“This is an investment in Lydiate as much as it is in the school, and there is real excitement here about what the new building will offer.”