Foxfield School

Foxfield School continues to demonstrate a strong performance, catering effectively to pupils with a wide range of needs, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder and severe learning difficulties. Leaders maintain high expectations for pupil learning and well-being, fostering an environment where pupils feel safe and supported. The curriculum is well-structured to meet the varied needs of its students, emphasizing essential skills for their future independence and adult life. Despite its strengths, the school has identified some areas for improvement, particularly in ensuring that reading materials match pupils' phonics knowledge adequately. This remains a crucial area as the school strives for all pupils to achieve proficiency in reading. The leadership team is aware of these challenges and is actively working to enhance the support provided to all learners.

Strengths

• High expectations for pupil learning and development.
• Effective support tailored to individual student needs.
• Strong subject knowledge among teaching staff.
• Well-organized curriculum that prepares pupils for adult life.
• Positive pupil-teacher relationships fostering a safe environment.
• Successful implementation of emotional and behavioral assessments.
• Strong support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Wide range of extracurricular activities enhancing pupil engagement.
• Effective career guidance aligned with pupil strengths.

Areas for Improvement

• Some early-stage readers struggle with reading books that do not match their phonics knowledge closely enough.

In 2024–25 pupils at Foxfield School attended 90.2% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 25.7% 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, 0.0% of pupils at Foxfield 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 Foxfield School had 6.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 6.2% 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 Foxfield School had 242 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; hearing impairment; 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 Foxfield School received £27,986 and spent £26,622 for each of its 242 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £1,246,000 (-£5,147 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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What is Foxfield School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Foxfield School is Good, from an inspection in May 2023.

When was Foxfield School last inspected by Ofsted?

Foxfield School was last inspected in May 2023.

How many pupils does Foxfield School have?

Foxfield School has 242 pupils on roll.

What age range does Foxfield School cover?

Foxfield School for pupils aged 11 to 19.

Where is Foxfield School?

Foxfield School is at New Hey Road, Woodchurch, Merseyside, CH49 5LF.