Knowsley Central School

Knowsley Central School continues to maintain the high standards set by its previous outstanding inspection. The school offers a nurturing environment where pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities thrive. The exceptional relationships between staff and pupils, along with a well-developed curriculum tailored to meet their complex needs, are key factors in the school's success. The commitment to continuous improvement is evident, with staff receiving high-quality training to enhance their expertise and collaborative practices with local mainstream and special schools.

Strengths

• Exceptional relationships between pupils and staff.
• Highly effective and ambitious curriculum.
• Strong focus on developing communication and interaction skills.
• Skilled staff who adapt teaching to meet individual needs.
• Pupils experience rich and engaging learning opportunities.
• Effective support for pupils’ personal development.
• High-quality training for staff leading to expertise.

In 2024–25 pupils at Knowsley Central School attended 93.1% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 23.9% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.0% of pupils at Knowsley Central School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Knowsley Central School had 6.8 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 16.9% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 Knowsley Central School had 142 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; speech, language and communication needs; autistic spectrum disorder.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Knowsley Central School received £29,249 and spent £28,840 for each of its 142 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £300,000 (£2,110 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Liverpool · Knowsley local authority: places and applications

What is Knowsley Central School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Knowsley Central School is Outstanding, from an inspection in May 2025.

When was Knowsley Central School last inspected by Ofsted?

Knowsley Central School was last inspected in May 2025.

How many pupils does Knowsley Central School have?

Knowsley Central School has 142 pupils on roll.

What age range does Knowsley Central School cover?

Knowsley Central School for pupils aged 4 to 11.

What are Knowsley Central School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Knowsley Central School?

Knowsley Central School is at Mossbrow Road, Huyton, Liverpool, Merseyside, L36 7SY.