Childwall Abbey School

Childwall Abbey School has maintained its good performance and continues to provide a positive environment for learning. Pupils enjoy their time at school, benefiting from a broad and ambitious curriculum that emphasizes experiential learning, such as outdoor education and developing skills in various subjects. The school has successfully increased its pupil enrollment, demonstrating a strong community demand for its educational services. However, the school is facing challenges in meeting the diverse needs of its growing student population, especially those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and there is a need for a robust plan to address this.

Strengths

• Pupils enjoy an exciting curriculum with a focus on learning outside the classroom.
• High aspirations for pupils and support for their ambitions in art, music, and technology.
• Strong emphasis on reading enhancement leading to improved debating and discussion skills.
• Effective strategies to improve pupil attendance.
• Comprehensive personal, social, and health education integrated within the curriculum.
• Well-supported staff who feel valued and listened to by leadership.

Areas for Improvement

• Need for a robust plan to meet the diverse needs of the increasing pupil population.

In 2024–25 pupils at Childwall Abbey School attended 85.0% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 41.5% 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, 10.1% of pupils at Childwall Abbey 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 Childwall Abbey School had 12.7 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 Childwall Abbey School had 216 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty; 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 Childwall Abbey School received £23,876 and spent £25,289 for each of its 216 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £83,000 (£384 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 Childwall Abbey School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Childwall Abbey School is Good, from an inspection in September 2024.

When was Childwall Abbey School last inspected by Ofsted?

Childwall Abbey School was last inspected in September 2024.

How many pupils does Childwall Abbey School have?

Childwall Abbey School has 216 pupils on roll.

What age range does Childwall Abbey School cover?

Childwall Abbey School for pupils aged 11 to 19.

Where is Childwall Abbey School?

Childwall Abbey School is at Childwall Abbey Road, Childwall, Liverpool, Merseyside, L16 5EY.