The Observatory School

The Observatory School is performing well overall, with all key areas judged good. Pupils are happy, feel cared for and benefit from strong, trusting relationships with adults. The school has high expectations and most pupils achieve well, including nationally recognised qualifications. Its curriculum is ambitious, reading is a high priority, and personal development is central, with pupils learning about mental health, respectful relationships and different cultures. Careers guidance and links with post-16 providers help prepare pupils for their next steps. The school has expanded significantly since its previous inspection, opening two additional bases and growing its pupil numbers. Leaders and governors have worked hard to keep the school’s vision and ethos intact during this rapid expansion, and staff feel well supported. Safeguarding arrangements are effective. All pupils have EHC plans, and the school caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. There are still areas to improve. Some subject curriculums need further refinement so they meet the needs of all pupils, particularly following the intake of new pupils. Policies and practices have not been applied consistently across all sites during the expansion, which has affected some pupils’ behaviour and caused some disruption to learning. Some pupils also do not attend school regularly enough, although the school works closely with families to identify barriers and improve attendance.

Strengths

• Pupils are happy, feel accepted and benefit from strong, trusting relationships with staff
• The school has high expectations and most pupils achieve well
• The curriculum is ambitious and leads to nationally recognised qualifications
• Reading is a high priority, with effective checks and support for pupils who need help
• Personal development is central, including mental health, relationships and cultural understanding
• Careers advice and post-16 links prepare pupils for further education, training or work
• Leaders and governors have maintained the school’s vision and ethos during rapid expansion
• Staff feel supported and leaders consider their well-being and workload
• Safeguarding arrangements are effective

Areas for Improvement

• Some subject curriculums need further refinement to meet the needs of all pupils
• Policies and practices have not been applied consistently across all sites during expansion
• Inconsistent implementation has affected some pupils’ behaviour and caused some disruption to learning
• Some pupils do not attend school regularly enough

In 2024–25 pupils at The Observatory School attended 70.1% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 69.1% 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, 53.9% of pupils at The Observatory 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 The Observatory School had 6.7 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 11.9% 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 The Observatory School had 174 pupils, 98.9% 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; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; 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 The Observatory School received £28,468 and spent £27,452 for each of its 174 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £679,000 (£3,900 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 The Observatory School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Observatory School is Good, from an inspection in March 2025.

When was The Observatory School last inspected by Ofsted?

The Observatory School was last inspected in March 2025.

How many pupils does The Observatory School have?

The Observatory School has 174 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Observatory School cover?

The Observatory School for pupils aged 7 to 16.

What are The Observatory School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is The Observatory School?

The Observatory School is at Bidston Village Road, Bidston, Prenton, Merseyside, CH43 7QT.