West Lancashire Community High School

West Lancashire Community High School continues to perform well as a good school, recognized for its positive environment and strong relationships between staff and pupils. The school's commitment to meeting the individual needs of all pupils, who have education, health and care plans, is notable, as is its focus on preparing them for adulthood through tailored experiences. However, while most subjects are well structured, there are a few where the curriculum is still developing, which can hinder deeper learning. Additionally, some systems for supporting weaker readers, especially in the sixth form, require improvement to ensure all pupils can achieve their potential.

Strengths

• Pupils arrive eager to learn and feel supported by highly skilled staff.
• Strong relationships foster a sense of belonging and confidence among pupils.
• The ambitious curriculum is designed to meet the special educational needs of all pupils.
• Teachers employ effective assessment strategies to tailor learning to individual needs.
• The school promotes a love of reading through various initiatives.
• Pupils benefit from extensive careers provision and work experience opportunities.
• Strong behavior and emotional support are provided to pupils.

Areas for Improvement

• Some subjects lack clarity on knowledge and vocabulary progression.
• Support systems for weaker readers in key stage 5 are underdeveloped.

In 2024–25 pupils at West Lancashire Community High School attended 87.3% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 30.8% 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 West Lancashire Community High 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 West Lancashire Community High School had 7.9 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 12.7% 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 West Lancashire Community High School had 176 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: 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; 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 West Lancashire Community High School received £27,778 and spent £27,297 for each of its 176 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £485,000 (£2,754 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 West Lancashire Community High School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for West Lancashire Community High School is Good, from an inspection in April 2024.

When was West Lancashire Community High School last inspected by Ofsted?

West Lancashire Community High School was last inspected in April 2024.

How many pupils does West Lancashire Community High School have?

West Lancashire Community High School has 176 pupils on roll.

What age range does West Lancashire Community High School cover?

West Lancashire Community High School for pupils aged 11 to 19.

Where is West Lancashire Community High School?

West Lancashire Community High School is at School Lane, Chapel House, Skelmersdale, Lancashire, WN8 8EH.