Sir Tom Finney Community High School

Sir Tom Finney Community High School continues to perform well as a good school, building on its previous inspection in 2017. The school fosters an inclusive environment where pupils with a wide range of special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported effectively. Students appreciate their school and engage enthusiastically in a broad curriculum that emphasizes personal development and skills necessary for their future. Diversity is embraced, and supportive relationships between pupils and staff contribute to a strong sense of community and safety within the school.

Strengths

• Pupils feel valued and included in all school activities.
• There is a strong focus on personal development, communication, and independence.
• Leaders have high expectations for pupils.
• Staff adapt the curriculum effectively to meet individual needs.
• Relationships between pupils and staff are warm and trusting.
• The school provides a calm environment for reflection and spiritual growth.
• Many pupils exceed their EHC plan targets.
• There is a strong culture of teamwork among staff.

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum in a few subjects, including reading in key stage 4 and sixth form, is not well-defined, impacting pupil achievement.

In 2024–25 pupils at Sir Tom Finney Community High School attended 89.5% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 28.7% 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, 1.3% of pupils at Sir Tom Finney 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 Sir Tom Finney Community High School had 8.1 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 14.8% 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 Sir Tom Finney Community High School had 255 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; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; 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 Sir Tom Finney Community High School received £26,377 and spent £27,683 for each of its 255 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £436,000 (£1,710 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

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What is Sir Tom Finney Community High School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Sir Tom Finney Community High School is Good, from an inspection in May 2023.

When was Sir Tom Finney Community High School last inspected by Ofsted?

Sir Tom Finney Community High School was last inspected in May 2023.

How many pupils does Sir Tom Finney Community High School have?

Sir Tom Finney Community High School has 255 pupils on roll.

What age range does Sir Tom Finney Community High School cover?

Sir Tom Finney Community High School for pupils aged 11 to 19.

Where is Sir Tom Finney Community High School?

Sir Tom Finney Community High School is at Ribbleton Hall Drive, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 6EE.