Abbot's Lea School

Abbot's Lea School is providing an outstanding quality of education for its pupils, who all have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The school has established a warm and compassionate environment where pupils feel safe and valued. Notably, the curriculum across all ages is ambitious and effective, resulting in remarkably high levels of academic achievement and personal development. The school has set high expectations for learning and personal growth, fostering positive relationships between staff and pupils. There are also numerous extracurricular opportunities that enrich pupils' experiences, such as horticulture and musical showcases.

Strengths

• High expectations for academic learning and personal development
• Warm and compassionate environment with caring relationships
• Exceptional personal development programme integrated into school life
• Effective tailored teaching to meet pupils' SEND needs
• Strong focus on communication skills and literacy development
• Supportive leadership from governors and staff

Areas for Improvement

• Some staff have concerns about changes impacting relationships with leaders

In 2024–25 pupils at Abbot's Lea School attended 88.2% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 27.9% 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, 4.0% of pupils at Abbot's Lea 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 Abbot's Lea School had 9.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 22.7% 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 Abbot's Lea School had 272 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; 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 Abbot's Lea School received £24,945 and spent £25,243 for each of its 272 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £450,000 (£1,653 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).

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• Secondary Schools

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What is Abbot's Lea School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Abbot's Lea School is Outstanding, from an inspection in September 2024.

When was Abbot's Lea School last inspected by Ofsted?

Abbot's Lea School was last inspected in September 2024.

How many pupils does Abbot's Lea School have?

Abbot's Lea School has 272 pupils on roll.

What age range does Abbot's Lea School cover?

Abbot's Lea School for pupils aged 3 to 19.

What are Abbot's Lea School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Abbot's Lea School?

Abbot's Lea School is at Beaconsfield Road, Woolton, Liverpool, Merseyside, L25 6EE.