Presfield High School and Specialist College

Presfield High School and Specialist College continues to demonstrate a strong performance as a good school, fostering a happy and inclusive environment for its pupils. With a curriculum designed to prepare students for their next educational steps and life beyond school, the school emphasizes personal growth, independence, and social skills. The school has shown commitment to meeting the diverse needs of its pupils, all of whom have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Furthermore, there are effective relationships between staff and students, which contribute to a supportive learning atmosphere.

Strengths

• Warm and inclusive school culture celebrating uniqueness.
• Strong pastoral support and positive relationships between adults and pupils.
• High expectations for all pupils with effective strategies to help them achieve.
• A well-prepared curriculum in most subjects promoting learning and achievement.
• Effective communication and language development strategies.
• Strong emphasis on personal development and life skills for pupils.
• Good range of extracurricular activities and leadership opportunities.
• Comprehensive careers education and guidance for pupils.

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum not fully finalized in a small number of subjects hindering some pupils' learning.
• Inconsistencies in staff confidence regarding communication and language strategies affecting pupil development.

In 2024–25 pupils at Presfield High School and Specialist College attended 88.6% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 34.7% 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, 3.8% of pupils at Presfield High School and Specialist College 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 Presfield High School and Specialist College had 7.0 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 0.0% 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 Presfield High School and Specialist College had 132 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: 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 Presfield High School and Specialist College received £28,301 and spent £26,322 for each of its 132 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £1,032,000 (£7,816 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 Southport · Sefton local authority: places and applications

What is Presfield High School and Specialist College's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Presfield High School and Specialist College is Good, from an inspection in November 2023.

When was Presfield High School and Specialist College last inspected by Ofsted?

Presfield High School and Specialist College was last inspected in November 2023.

How many pupils does Presfield High School and Specialist College have?

Presfield High School and Specialist College has 132 pupils on roll.

What age range does Presfield High School and Specialist College cover?

Presfield High School and Specialist College for pupils aged 11 to 19.

What are Presfield High School and Specialist College's GCSE results?

In 2025 its average Attainment 8 score was 16.1, and 15% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Presfield High School and Specialist College?

Presfield High School and Specialist College is at Preston New Road, Churchtown, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 8PA.