Church Lawton School

Church Lawton School is performing well overall, with a consistent grading of 'Good' across all inspected areas. The school provides a supportive environment for its pupils, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), most of whom have a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder. Pupils benefit from a wide range of enrichment activities, strong staff-pupil relationships, and effective safeguarding measures, all contributing to their enjoyment and sense of safety at school. The school is part of the Liberty Academy Trust and has undergone significant governance changes recently which enhance the oversight of its operations. While the quality of education is commendable, there are some areas for improvement, particularly in the clarity of the curriculum in certain foundation subjects, which hinders pupils' achievement. Additionally, some subject leaders need to enhance their monitoring of curriculum delivery to ensure consistency across the board. Nonetheless, the leadership has a clear vision for improvement and is effectively preparing pupils for later life and work opportunities.

Strengths

• Pupils enjoy a wide range of enrichment opportunities.
• The school fosters strong relationships between staff, pupils, and parents.
• Leaders ensure pupils feel safe and supported.
• Effective support is provided for pupils with SEND.
• Leaders prioritize reading and the phonics curriculum effectively.
• Pupils receive a comprehensive careers education programme.

Areas for Improvement

• Knowledge in some foundation subjects is not clearly defined.
• In a few areas, subject leaders do not monitor curriculum delivery effectively.

In 2024–25 pupils at Church Lawton School attended 89.6% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 28.8% 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, 1.2% of pupils at Church Lawton 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 Church Lawton School had 5.6 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 9.0% 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 Church Lawton School had 86 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: 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 2024–25 Church Lawton School received £47,161 and spent £44,088 for each of its 84 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £1,461,000 (£17,399 per pupil).

Across all 3 schools of Liberty Academy Trust Ltd., income was £52,000 and spending £52,311 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 Stoke-On-Trent · Cheshire East local authority: places and applications

Church Lawton School is part of Liberty Academy Trust Ltd., which runs 3 schools. The nearest others:

• Thames Valley School Reading
• Vanguard School London

What is Church Lawton School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Church Lawton School is Good, from an inspection in March 2023.

When was Church Lawton School last inspected by Ofsted?

Church Lawton School was last inspected in March 2023.

How many pupils does Church Lawton School have?

Church Lawton School has 86 pupils on roll.

What age range does Church Lawton School cover?

Church Lawton School for pupils aged 4 to 19.

What are Church Lawton School's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 34.9, and 14% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

What are Church Lawton School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Church Lawton School?

Church Lawton School is at Cherry Tree Avenue, Church Lawton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST7 3EL.