Gilbrook School

Gilbrook School is a small primary special school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, all of whom have an education, health and care plan. Inspectors found that pupils thrive in a calm, caring and highly supportive environment, with outstanding provision for behaviour and attitudes and for personal development. The school has high expectations and gives pupils a rich set of experiences, including outdoor learning, community visits and work on the school farm, which help build confidence, resilience and responsibility. The curriculum is tailored well to pupils' special educational needs and disabilities, and the school supports pupils effectively to catch up after often significant gaps in their learning. Reading and phonics are taught consistently well, and staff build trusting relationships that help pupils manage their emotions and behaviour. Safeguarding arrangements are effective, and staff feel well supported by leaders and governors. There are two main areas for improvement. In a few subjects, curriculum thinking is not fully complete, so teachers are not clear enough about the key concepts pupils need to learn and remember. In addition, some staff teach outside their main areas of expertise and have not received the support and training they need to deliver those curriculums securely. The school was previously judged outstanding and has not had a routine section 5 inspection since 2013; under current arrangements it receives no overall effectiveness grade.

Strengths

• Pupils thrive and feel valued in a calm, caring school community
• Curriculum is tailored well to pupils' special educational needs and disabilities
• Personal development and social, emotional and mental health provision are outstanding
• Strong support helps pupils with significant learning gaps to catch up
• Phonics is delivered consistently well and pupils become confident readers
• Staff build trusting, respectful relationships and help pupils manage behaviour
• Behaviour and attitudes are outstanding, with a friendly and caring ethos
• Outdoor learning and the school farm build resilience, independence and confidence
• Pupils learn how to stay safe online and in the community
• Pupils engage with the local community and develop understanding of British values
• Staff feel well supported by leaders and governors, including on workload and well-being
• Safeguarding arrangements are effective

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum in a few subjects lacks precise end points and clear key concepts for teachers
• Some staff teach outside their subject specialism without effective support and training

In 2024–25 pupils at Gilbrook School attended 87.9% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 39.1% 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, 23.8% of pupils at Gilbrook 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 Gilbrook School had 6.8 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 Gilbrook School had 60 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.

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 Gilbrook School received £28,672 and spent £30,627 for each of its 60 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £90,000 (-£1,497 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 Gilbrook School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Gilbrook School is Good, from an inspection in May 2025.

When was Gilbrook School last inspected by Ofsted?

Gilbrook School was last inspected in May 2025.

How many pupils does Gilbrook School have?

Gilbrook School has 60 pupils on roll.

What age range does Gilbrook School cover?

Gilbrook School for pupils aged 4 to 11.

What are Gilbrook School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Gilbrook School?

Gilbrook School is at Glebe Hey Road, Woodchurch, Merseyside, CH49 8HE.