Ofsted: Outstanding

Abbot's Lea School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMrs Ania Hildrey

location_onLiverpool, L25 6EE

language Visit Website phone 1514281161

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

271

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Attainment 8

2.3

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GCSE Rank

#37 in Liverpool

#4,431 of 4,663 nationally

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Abbot's Lea School is a Community special school school in Liverpool, serving ages 3-19. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade.

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School Summary

Abbot's Lea School is a community special school in Liverpool, admitting pupils aged 3-19. The school has approximately 272 pupils on roll, of whom 60% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 2.3, placing the school #37 in Liverpool and #4,431 of 4,663 nationally. 0.00% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Outstanding. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Outstanding, behaviour and attitudes Outstanding, personal development Outstanding, and leadership and management Good.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 9.4:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 1.9 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

2.3

Grade 5+ E&M

0.00%

Entering EBacc0.00%

EBacc APS0.15

2024

Progress 8 Score

-1.6

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

0.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0.00%

EBacc APS0.04

2023

Progress 8 Score

-1.57

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

2.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS0.17

2022

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

2018

Progress 8 Score

-1.76

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

2.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS0.15

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)97%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

100%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)100%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

100%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)100%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)95%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

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Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

2025

R/W/M Expected Standard

LA 55%

Reading0% LA 68%

Writing0% LA 66%

Maths0% LA 66%

Read SS

Maths SS

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2024

R/W/M Expected Standard

LA 55%England 61%

Reading0% LA 69% · Eng 74%

Writing0% LA 67% · Eng 72%

Maths0% LA 67% · Eng 73%

Read SS

Maths SS

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2023

R/W/M Expected Standard

LA 53%England 60%

Reading0% LA 66% · Eng 73%

Writing0% LA 65% · Eng 71%

Maths0% LA 65% · Eng 73%

Read SS

Maths SS

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

-14.7

Read

LA -0.3

-18.6 to -10.9

-13.3

Write

LA 0.3

-17.0 to -9.5

-14.7

Maths

LA -0.5

-18.3 to -11.0

2019

R/W/M Expected Standard

LA 59%England 65%

Reading0% LA 68% · Eng 73%

Writing0% LA 71% · Eng 78%

Maths0% LA 73% · Eng 79%

Read SS

Maths SS

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

-9.1

Read

LA 0.3

-11.7 to -6.4

-9.1

Write

LA 0.3

-11.5 to -6.7

-9.6

Maths

LA 0.2

-11.9 to -7.3

2018

R/W/M Expected Standard

LA 59%

Reading0% LA 70%

Writing0% LA 72%

Maths0% LA 71%

Read SS

Maths SS

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

-1.3

Read

LA 0.0

-3.7 to 1.1

0.1

Write

LA 0.1

-2.2 to 2.4

-1.8

Maths

LA 0.3

-4 to 0.4

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

10 July 2024

Inspection Report

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02 November 2021

Inspection Report

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13 January 2016

Inspection Report

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13 September 2012

Inspection Report

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14 January 2010

Inspection Report

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02 May 2007

Inspection Report

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01 July 2002

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2024-07-10

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 EIF

Outstanding

Education

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Good

2021-11-02

Section 8 inspection of good and outstanding schools EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Requires improvement

2016-01-13

Maintained Academy and School Short inspection Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2012-09-13

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

1.8%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.8%(5 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 272 pupils. During this period, there were 5 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 1.8%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg
2024/25 (Spring term)	272	5	1.8%	7.3%
2024/25 (Autumn term)	267	5	1.9%	7.8%
2023/24 (Summer term)	269	4	1.5%	7.4%
2023/24 (Spring term)	271	3	1.1%	7.1%
2023/24 (Autumn term)	268	0	0.0%	8.2%
2022/23 (Summer term)	269	1	0.4%	6.6%
2022/23 (Spring term)	271	1	0.4%	6.4%
2022/23 (Autumn term)	272	2	0.7%	5.9%
2021/22 (Summer term)	270	0	0.0%	4.7%
2021/22 (Spring term)	270	0	0.0%	4.9%
2021/22 (Autumn term)	265	0	0.0%	4.4%
2020/21 (Summer term)	272	0	0.0%	3.6%
2020/21 (Spring term)	271	0	0.0%	1.0%
2020/21 (Autumn term)	271	0	0.0%	3.9%
2019/20 (Summer term)	260	0	0.0%	0.0%
2019/20 (Spring term)	260	0	0.0%	3.2%
2019/20 (Autumn term)	260	0	0.0%	4.2%
2018/19 (Summer term)	252	0	0.0%	3.1%
2018/19 (Spring term)	252	0	0.0%	3.8%
2018/19 (Autumn term)	249	0	0.0%	3.8%
2017/18 (Summer term)	225	0	0.0%	3.4%
2017/18 (Spring term)	220	0	0.0%	3.0%
2017/18 (Autumn term)	221	0	0.0%	3.7%
2016/17 (Summer term)	213	0	0.0%	3.0%
2016/17 (Spring term)	212	0	0.0%	3.3%
2016/17 (Autumn term)	210	0	0.0%	3.1%

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 250 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 9 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 7 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 2 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 2 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 1 pupils

Multi-Sensory Impairment 1 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

83.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

75.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

14.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree56%

agree21%

disagree12%

strongly disagree12%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree52%

agree31%

disagree10%

strongly disagree8%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree42%

agree19%

disagree12%

strongly disagree15%

not applicable12%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes100%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree63%

agree13%

disagree8%

strongly disagree15%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree54%

agree25%

disagree13%

strongly disagree8%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree56%

agree23%

disagree4%

strongly disagree15%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree56%

agree27%

disagree6%

strongly disagree12%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree54%

agree27%

disagree10%

strongly disagree8%

don't know2%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree31%

agree31%

disagree15%

strongly disagree12%

don't know12%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree60%

agree19%

disagree4%

strongly disagree15%

don't know2%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes79%

no21%

Abbot's Lea School

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

Staffing

Teacher Turnover