Ashley High School, Widnes
Ashley High School is a special school for pupils aged 11 to 19 in Widnes. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in March 2015. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in February 2025 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2015)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Ashley High School in detail
Ashley High School in its own words
From the headteacher's welcome: "I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to you all to Ashley High School, a place where every individual is celebrated for their unique abilities and talents."
The school runs after-school care, from £1 per session.
Coming up: an open day on Monday 12 July 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.
All school open days in Halton
Headteacher's welcome (school website)Wraparound care (school website)Open days on the school's site (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Ashley High School are Chesnut Lodge Special School (under 0.1 miles, Good); Poppy Field School (1.1 miles, Outstanding); The Raise Academy (1.7 miles); and Brookfields School (1.8 miles, Outstanding).
Chesnut Lodge Special SchoolPoppy Field SchoolThe Raise AcademyBrookfields School
What parents say
44 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Ashley High School (as of September 2025): 84% would recommend the school, 86% say their child is happy there and 33% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (86%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (33%).
Where pupils go next
Of the 16 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 88% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 13% to a further education college.
Who goes there
54% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 2.9% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (90%) and Mixed (6%).
Almost every pupil at Ashley High School has an education, health and care plan (137 of 137 in 2026). The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.
Ashley High School provides for pupils with speech, language and communication needs and autism.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Hough Green Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.
12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Chesnut Lodge, 170 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Ashley High School issued 10 suspensions, 7.8 for every 100 pupils, and no permanent exclusions.
Sources: Ofsted Parent View; DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from March 2015, 11 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: Standards have been maintained.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's February 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Ashley High School is genuinely committed to getting 'only the best' for every pupil. Staff are exceptionally encouraging and supportive, creating a calm, orderly environment where pupils feel safe and valued. The school helps pupils develop real independence and prepares them well for adult life through a broad curriculum, strong careers guidance, and carefully planned work experience.
Key Strengths
- Exceptionally caring and supportive environment with well-trained staff who help pupils manage behaviour and emotions effectively
- Strong personal development and careers guidance that helps pupils make informed choices about their future
- Broad, balanced curriculum with skilled teaching that enables pupils to gain recognised qualifications and strong progress from their starting points
- Comprehensive support for pupils with additional needs through work with specialist agencies and therapy teams
- Wide range of enriching experiences and trips that help pupils develop independence and life skills
Areas for Improvement
- Some curriculum leaders need more opportunity to review their areas of responsibility in detail so they can better identify what is working well and where improvements are needed
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with pupils having a strong understanding of bullying and knowing how to report concerns to staff.
Extracurricular Activities
Cinema visits, gallery visits, orchestra visits, Duke of Edinburgh award, work experience placements
Ashley High School is a special school for pupils with autism and SEND that has maintained its outstanding standards. The school provides warm, supportive care with high expectations for behaviour and achievement.
At a Glance
54.0%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
Speech and language, Autism
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
44 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Latest from Ashley High School
D & D Club
9 Sep 2026
After school clubs Autumn 2026
7 Sep 2026
Halton Speak Out 10-week theatre programme
4 Sep 2026
Post-16 Options
15 Jul 2026
School Health Drop-in
15 Jul 2026
From Ashley High School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Keep up with Ashley High School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Ashley High School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Ashley High School is in Halton; for families living there:
Apply to Halton for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 21
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 8
- Children hurt
- 2
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 21 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 8 serious and 13 slight.
2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot.
6 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Halton is 9.5 (the median across 70 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
122%
Over capacity
137 pupils
112 places
25 pupils over capacity
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Widnes
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Widnes
Across Halton council
Places available
1,690
Applications
1,471
Got 1st preference
96.2%
Got preferred school
99.2%
All secondary applications across Halton council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
137
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Ashley High School provides for pupils with speech, language and communication needs and autism.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
137
Total Pupils
100
Boys
37
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
19
Teachers
7.2:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£55,284
Mean salary
2026 data
Pupil Absence2024/25
8.4%
Overall absence
25.9%
Persistent absence
112
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Ashley High School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Ashley High School
What are GCSE results like at Ashley High School?
In the 2026 results, pupils at Ashley High School achieved an Attainment 8 score of 6.5. 10% passed GCSE English and maths at grade 5 or above.
What is Ashley High School's Ofsted rating?
Ashley High School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in February 2025, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in March 2015, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for Ashley High School?
No fixed boundary. When Ashley High School is oversubscribed, Halton allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to Ashley High School?
Ashley High School has around 137 pupils on roll. 54% are eligible for free school meals.
Does Ashley High School have specialist SEN provision?
Ashley High School provides for pupils with speech, language and communication needs and autism.
What is attendance like at Ashley High School?
8.4% of sessions were missed at Ashley High School in 2024/25. 25.9% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Ashley High School?
Apply through Halton's coordinated admissions process, naming Ashley High School on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
How many road collisions happen near Ashley High School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 21 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 8 serious and 13 slight. 2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot. 6 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Halton is 9.5 (the median across 70 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Ashley High School?
Ashley High School is at Cawfield Avenue, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 7HG.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)