Finch Woods Academy

Finch Woods Academy is demonstrating strong performance in addressing the needs of its pupils, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds or have experienced disrupted education. The leadership has successfully implemented a coherent vision that focuses on personal development, behaviour improvement, and engagement in learning. Despite starting with very low prior attainment, most students show steady progress and increased confidence, supported by effective targeted interventions and a nurturing environment.

Strengths

• Transformative leadership with a clear and shared vision.
• Effective safeguarding culture ensuring pupil safety.
• Strong professional development tailored for staff.
• Robust governance providing rigorous oversight.
• Personalized support for pupils with social, emotional, and mental health needs.
• Focus on improving reading skills through structured phonics teaching.
• Successful implementation of a well-designed personal development programme.

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistent practices in assessing and addressing misconceptions in some subjects.
• Attendance remains variable with some pupils missing school regularly.

In 2024–25 pupils at Finch Woods Academy attended 64.8% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 75.5% 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, 50.0% of pupils at Finch Woods Academy 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 Finch Woods Academy had 5.6 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 27.8% 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 Finch Woods Academy had 88 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.

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 2024–25 Finch Woods Academy received £33,302 and spent £34,504 for each of its 82 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £249,000 (£3,032 per pupil).

Across all 13 schools of Manor Hall Academy Trust, income was £31,857 and spending £31,448 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). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Liverpool · Knowsley local authority: places and applications

Finch Woods Academy is part of Manor Hall Academy Trust, which runs 13 schools. The nearest others:

• Adelaide Heath Academy Knutsford
• Adelaide School Crewe
• Merryfields School Newcastle
• Manor Abbey School Stoke-On-Trent
• Cicely Haughton School Stoke-On-Trent
• Springfield School Leek
• The Meadows School Leek
• Loxley Hall School Uttoxeter
• Sherbrook Primary School Cannock
• Rocklands School Lichfield

What is Finch Woods Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Finch Woods Academy is Expected standard, from an inspection in May 2026.

When was Finch Woods Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Finch Woods Academy was last inspected in May 2026.

How many pupils does Finch Woods Academy have?

Finch Woods Academy has 88 pupils on roll.

What age range does Finch Woods Academy cover?

Finch Woods Academy for pupils aged 9 to 16.

What are Finch Woods Academy's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Finch Woods Academy?

Finch Woods Academy is at Bailey's Lane, Halewood, Liverpool, Merseyside, L26 0TY.