Lever Park School

Lever Park School continues to perform well, maintaining a good standard since its last inspection in 2019. The school provides a nurturing environment where pupils feel safe and supported, allowing them to thrive academically and personally. With a strong focus on meeting the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school offers a well-organized curriculum that promotes both academic success and personal development. Many pupils have transitioned positively from challenging previous educational experiences, aided by the school's comprehensive support systems. However, there are areas that still require development, particularly within a minority of subjects where the curriculum is at an early stage and qualification opportunities are lacking. This could potentially disadvantage some pupils as they prepare for their post-16 education. The school is making strides to address these issues and is committed to embedding its curriculum further to ensure all pupils can achieve their full potential and have a wider range of options upon leaving the school.

Strengths

• Pupils feel safe and happy, supported by trusted staff.
• Effective management of pupils' emotions and behavior creates a calm learning environment.
• A strong culture of reading across all subjects.
• Teachers effectively ignite interest and excitement for learning.
• The school ensures good attendance through tailored support.
• Personal development is a key priority embedded in the curriculum.
• Vocational opportunities help prepare pupils for future pathways.

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum in a minority of subjects is still in early development.
• Some pupils have not had the opportunity to gain relevant qualifications.

In 2024–25 pupils at Lever Park School attended 65.7% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 69.5% 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, 53.5% of pupils at Lever Park 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 Lever Park School had 6.1 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 12.3% 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 Lever Park School had 99 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 Lever Park School received £32,236 and spent £32,469 for each of its 101 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £232,000 (£2,298 per pupil).

Across all 2 schools of The Bolton Impact Trust, income was £10,359 and spending £14,756 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 Bolton · Bolton local authority: places and applications

Lever Park School is part of The Bolton Impact Trust, which runs 3 schools. The nearest others:

• Smithills School Bolton
• Egerton Community Primary School Bolton

What is Lever Park School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Lever Park School is Good, from an inspection in June 2024.

When was Lever Park School last inspected by Ofsted?

Lever Park School was last inspected in June 2024.

How many pupils does Lever Park School have?

Lever Park School has 99 pupils on roll.

What age range does Lever Park School cover?

Lever Park School for pupils aged 11 to 16.

Where is Lever Park School?

Lever Park School is at Stocks Park Drive, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 6DE.