Hope School

Hope School is a community special school in Wigan for pupils aged 2 to 19, all of whom have complex special educational needs and disabilities and an EHC plan. The inspection found a highly nurturing, family-like school where pupils feel safe and valued, behaviour is excellent, and personal development is a foundation of the provision. Pupils benefit from broad enrichment, strong communication support, a high priority on reading, and well-considered preparation for adulthood from early years through sixth form. Leaders have taken decisive action to redesign the curriculum into five pathways, and this is working firmly in areas such as communication, language and physical development. In some other curriculum areas the changes are less embedded, and the school does not yet have a clear enough overview of whether they are having the intended impact. Attendance is generally good or improving, safeguarding is effective, and parents value the close partnership. The early years and sixth form are particularly strong, and staff well-being is considered carefully. The main improvement priority is to embed the new curriculum pathways more consistently so that pupils' learning is coherent over time.

Strengths

• Nurturing, family-like environment where pupils feel safe and valued
• High expectations for academic and personal achievement are realised
• Broad and enriching experiences support social, physical and sensory development
• Five curriculum pathways help meet pupils' individual needs
• Communication aids and sign/symbol use are consistently effective
• Reading is a high priority with well-matched books and support
• Pupils' behaviour is excellent and staff respond precisely to needs
• Attendance is usually regular or improves over time
• Personal development and preparation for adulthood are woven through the curriculum
• Parents value the close partnership and timely support
• Staff well-being is considered and paperwork has been reduced
• Safeguarding arrangements are effective

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum refinement is at an early stage in some areas
• The school does not have a clear enough overview of the impact of curriculum changes
• New curriculum pathways need to be embedded more consistently over time

In 2024–25 pupils at Hope School attended 90.8% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 28.6% 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, 0.4% of pupils at Hope 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 Hope School had 6.7 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 5.6% 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 Hope School had 233 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; autistic spectrum disorder; other difficulty or disability.

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 Hope School received £33,902 and spent £34,190 for each of its 233 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £527,000 (£2,263 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 Wigan · Wigan local authority: places and applications

What is Hope School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Hope School is Good, from an inspection in July 2025.

When was Hope School last inspected by Ofsted?

Hope School was last inspected in July 2025.

How many pupils does Hope School have?

Hope School has 233 pupils on roll.

What age range does Hope School cover?

Hope School for pupils aged 2 to 19.

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

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

Where is Hope School?

Hope School is at Kelvin Grove, Marus Bridge, Wigan, Greater Manchester, WN3 6SP.