Hope High School

Hope High School has effectively maintained the standards identified at its last inspection and continues to provide a supportive and nurturing environment for its pupils. All students have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and the school prioritizes their social and emotional development. The positive relationships between pupils and staff foster a sense of pride and well-being, contributing to impeccable conduct and high levels of pupil happiness. The curriculum is ambitious and broad, preparing pupils well for the next stages of their education, although there are areas for improvement in addressing learning gaps.

Strengths

• Pupils flourish and display impeccable conduct.
• Strong and positive relationships between staff and pupils.
• Comprehensive approach to supporting pupils with SEND.
• Ambitious and well-designed curriculum with a variety of subjects.
• Effective support for reading and communication needs.
• Strong emphasis on personal development and emotional intelligence.
• Pupils are well-prepared for future education and employment.

Areas for Improvement

• Some teaching does not sufficiently address gaps in pupils' knowledge.
• Occasional misalignment of activities with pupils' individual needs.

In 2024–25 pupils at Hope High School attended 81.0% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 43.0% 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, 0.9% of pupils at Hope High School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). 2 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 High School had 5.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 5.9% 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 High School had 108 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 Hope High School received £33,334 and spent £32,259 for each of its 108 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £106,000 (£979 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

All schools in Skelmersdale · Lancashire local authority: places and applications

What is Hope High School's Ofsted rating?

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

When was Hope High School last inspected by Ofsted?

Hope High School was last inspected in July 2025.

How many pupils does Hope High School have?

Hope High School has 108 pupils on roll.

What age range does Hope High School cover?

Hope High School for pupils aged 11 to 16.

What are Hope High School's GCSE results?

In 2025 its average Attainment 8 score was 13.1, and 5% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Hope High School?

Hope High School is at Carfield, Clay Brow, Skelmersdale, Lancashire, WN8 9DP.