Leading Liverpool specialist school celebrates ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted judgement

Abbot’s Lea School, Woolton, is proud to have been judged as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted (The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) in its most recent inspection.

The specialist school, which delivers high-quality specialist holistic education for students aged three to 19 living with autism and other complex needs, was rated as outstanding for its quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, early years provision, sixth form provision and good in leadership and management.

The most recent inspection took place on 10 and 11 July 2024, and the accompanying report was full of admiration for the school, commending its high ambition, robust planning, delivery and quality assurance and the remarkable transformation and drive for positive change by the school’s leadership team.

The report highlighted how the school has high expectations for each student’s academic progress and personal development, commending children and young people for their eagerness to meet those expectations.

It stated: “The school works tirelessly to ensure that any barriers to learning are overcome. This enables pupils to achieve exceptionally well.”

Inspectors said: “Pupils, from the early years through to the sixth form, follow an ambitious and highly effective curriculum. Staff know what to teach, when to teach it and why. They tailor learning for each pupil. This attention to detail shines through. Pupils benefit greatly from this and, as a result, achieve remarkably well.

“Pupils’ learning in all subjects links to the outside world. This helps to prepare pupils for adulthood.”

The school’s bespoke personal development programme was highly regarded, as it is intertwined into different aspects of school life, with children learning about different types of friendships, families and relationships.

The report said: “There is a clear focus on celebrating difference, tolerance, respect and diversity across the school. Pupils have a broad understanding of the differences between people.”

Ofsted recognised how the school’s attendance rates are continually improving, and that staff are persistent and proactive in this particular area.

It detailed: “The school is unrelenting in its approach to improving pupils’ rates of attendance. The school’s supportive actions have led to great success in improving many pupils’ rates of attendance.”

Ofsted praised the way Abbot’s Lea School enhances pupils’ communication skills.

It noted: “Staff work closely with families and speech and language therapists to understand pupils’ communication needs. The school works exceptionally well with pupils who do not communicate verbally. It establishes effective communication systems to help pupils’ needs and wishes be heard.”

The school’s governing body was also acknowledged and admired for offering “high levels of support and challenge to the school”. Ofsted emphasised how this leads to an “exemplary educational provision for pupils”.

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