Woolton High School

Woolton High School continues to perform well as a good school, demonstrating a welcoming environment where pupils feel comfortable, happy, and safe. The school has made significant improvements in its curriculum since the last inspection, with a strong focus on personal development and a variety of opportunities that help pupils to achieve high academic expectations. The dedication of staff to support pupils' emotional and behavioral needs has contributed to a positive learning atmosphere, fostering relationships that are nurturing and trustworthy. Despite these strengths, there are areas for improvement, particularly regarding the specificity of curriculum design in a few subjects, where some pupils are not building on their prior learning effectively. Overall, the school is successfully preparing pupils for adult life, promoting attendance, and engaging them in extensive extracurricular activities, reinforcing a robust sense of community.

Strengths

• Welcoming environment where pupils feel comfortable and safe
• Strong emphasis on personal development and emotional support
• Broad and balanced curriculum with vocational opportunities
• Effective assessment strategies that shape future learning
• Prioritization of reading leading to improved fluency and confidence
• Pupils are actively involved in the wider life of the school
• Positive relationships among staff and pupils
• Dedicated efforts to improving student attendance

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum design lacks precision in a few subjects

In 2024–25 pupils at Woolton High School attended 83.2% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 46.8% 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, 26.7% of pupils at Woolton High School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). One pupil was 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 Woolton High School had 7.3 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 9.3% 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 Woolton High School had 79 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: social, emotional and mental health; 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 Woolton High School received £27,679 and spent £26,622 for each of its 79 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £242,000 (£3,060 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 · Liverpool local authority: places and applications

What is Woolton High School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Woolton High School is Good, from an inspection in May 2024.

When was Woolton High School last inspected by Ofsted?

Woolton High School was last inspected in May 2024.

How many pupils does Woolton High School have?

Woolton High School has 79 pupils on roll.

What age range does Woolton High School cover?

Woolton High School for pupils aged 11 to 16.

What are Woolton High School's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 11.6, and 6% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Woolton High School?

Woolton High School is at Woolton Hill Road, Woolton, Liverpool, Merseyside, L25 6JA.