Clare Mount Specialist Sports College, Leasowe
Clare Mount Specialist Sports College is a special school for pupils aged 11 to 19 in Leasowe. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in May 2026, ended in a report card: 4 exceptional and 3 strong standard. Before that it was rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in October 2010.
- Ofsted report card
- 7 of 7 areas strong or better
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Clare Mount Specialist Sports College in detail
What Ofsted's report card says
Ofsted's report card from its 19 May 2026 inspection grades Clare Mount Specialist Sports College on 7 areas: 4 exceptional and 3 strong standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.
Achievement - Exceptional. "Pupils achieve extraordinarily well."
Inclusion - Exceptional. "Inclusion is woven into the fabric of the school's work."
Leadership and governance - Exceptional. "Leaders and governors provide high-quality oversight and direction."
Personal development and wellbeing - Exceptional. "Provision for pupils' personal development is impressive."
Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders work effectively with pupils, external agencies and a range of highly skilled staff, including counsellors and family support workers, to ensure that the school's attendance strategy is highly successful - and it is."
Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders are highly ambitious for pupils."
Post 16 provision - Strong standard. "Leaders have designed a high-quality and relevant curriculum for post-16 study."
Safeguarding standards were met.
Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders and governors should continue to refine and embed their identified priorities for improvement in order to drive a transformational impact for all pupils".
Read the full report card on Ofsted's site (school website)
Source: Ofsted report card (Open Government Licence), quoted
Clare Mount Specialist Sports College in its own words
From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Clare Mount Specialist Sports College. Our vision is that our pupils and staff are seen as 'role models and catalysts for change'. Our mission and moral purpose focus around the CHILD, developing a sense of belonging so that every child can thrive."
Headteacher's welcome (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Clare Mount Specialist Sports College are Orrets Meadow School (0.4 miles); The Observatory School (0.8 miles, Good); Wirral Wrap (0.9 miles, Good); and Hayfield School (0.9 miles, Good).
Orrets Meadow SchoolThe Observatory SchoolWirral WrapHayfield School
Where pupils go next
Of the 40 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 88% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 33% to a further education college.
Who goes there
59% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 2% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
Almost every pupil at Clare Mount Specialist Sports College has an education, health and care plan (461 of 461 in 2026). The most common need among them is autism.
Clare Mount Specialist Sports College provides for pupils with autism and moderate learning difficulties.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Leasowe Rail Station, about 310 metres away (roughly a 4-minute walk).
7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Reeds Lane (opposite), 150 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Clare Mount Specialist Sports College stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 4th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Clare Mount Specialist Sports College issued 30 suspensions, 7.3 for every 100 pupils, and no permanent exclusions.
Sources: DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 5 months agoReport card - no single overall grade (Ofsted's framework since November 2025)
Safeguarding standards met
- AchievementExceptional
- InclusionExceptional
- Leadership and governanceExceptional
- Personal development and wellbeingExceptional
- Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
- Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
- Post 16 provisionStrong standard
Safeguarding standards: met
Ofsted's report card, in its own words
What it's like to be a pupil at Clare Mount Specialist Sports College
This is a place that fosters a truly remarkable haven of calm and learning. Pupils, and students in the sixth form, flourish socially and academically. A passion for pupils' success underpins everything the school does. Whatever pupils' needs, staff work relentlessly to enable them to succeed. Staff inspire pupils to become curious and independent beyond the classroom. Pupils are safe, feel understood and valued. The school puts no ceiling on pupils' academic or social achievements. This ambition is embodied in the way both staff and pupils live out the school's motto, striving to be true ‘catalysts for change'. Through a thoughtfully designed curriculum, pupils follow pathways and take qualifications in subjects that are tailored skilfully to their aspirations and ambitions. Pupils, all of whom have special educational needs and/or disabilities, love learning and receive the bespoke support they need to thrive. They achieve extremely highly across a wide range of subjects. The school's work has a lasting impact on pupils. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. Highly effective classroom and social time routines mean that pupils know exactly what to expect and when. Bullying is extremely rare. Pupils are confident that staff will help with any concerns. Pupils are expertly supported by staff to become confident in their communication with others. This contributes significantly to pupils' growing self-esteem and their ability to recognise and embrace their own unique talents. Pupils attend well. Those that need it get help to improve their attendance. The school provides pupils with the tools and firm foundations for their next steps in life. This is also true for students in the sixth form. Right from the start, the vast array of carefully crafted wider experiences offered to pupils focus on developing them as active citizens. Pupils are incredibly well prepared for their future lives. The impact of the school is transformative for many pupils.
What Ofsted says the school should do next
- Leaders and governors should continue to refine and embed their identified priorities for improvement in order to drive a transformational impact for all pupils.
From Ofsted's report card (inspection 19 May 2026). Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's May 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Clare Mount is exceptional at helping all pupils achieve meaningful success and develop confidence for their futures. The school removes barriers to learning through expert staff, thoughtful support, and carefully tailored teaching that meets each pupil's individual needs. Pupils benefit from a rich range of experiences - from rock climbing and indoor skiing to work experience and volunteering abroad - that transform their aspirations and prepare them exceptionally well for life beyond school.
Key Strengths
- Pupils achieve exceptionally well across national qualifications and vocational awards, with disadvantaged pupils outperforming disadvantaged pupils nationally
- Inclusion is woven into the school's work with staff expertly trained to meet wide-ranging needs and innovative inclusive practices
- Exceptional personal development and wellbeing provision with carefully designed experiences that build pupil aspirations and resilience
- Outstanding leadership and governance with leaders highly attuned to the school's needs and committed to research-led improvement
- Remarkable behaviour across the school fostered through warm relationships and a culture of mutual respect
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met with an open and positive culture where all legal requirements are fulfilled and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Rock climbing, sporting competitions, overnight residentials, indoor skiing, talent shows, volunteering in Kenya, work experience programmes, gym access, independent travel training
Clare Mount Specialist Sports College is an exceptional school where pupils with special educational needs achieve extraordinarily well and flourish in an inclusive environment. Leaders demonstrate outstanding oversight and commitment to removing barriers to learning and wellbeing for every pupil.
At a Glance
59.0%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
Autism, MLD
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Latest from Clare Mount Specialist Sports College
School Show Winter 2026
29 Sep 2026
Drama Production
8 Sep 2026
Talent Show 2026
16 Jul 2026
RISE-UP Wirral Celebration
14 Jul 2026
ICT Department Summer Term
6 Jul 2026
Clare Mount Achieves Platinum Success - Once Again!!!!
7 May 2026
From Clare Mount Specialist Sports College's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with Clare Mount Specialist Sports College
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Clare Mount Specialist Sports College from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Clare Mount Specialist Sports College is in Wirral; for families living there:
Apply to Wirral for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 24
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 8
- Children hurt
- 5
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 24 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 8 serious and 16 slight.
5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot, 2 on a bicycle and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise.
8 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 Wirral is 15 (the median across 136 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
115%
Over capacity
461 pupils
400 places
61 pupils over capacity
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Leasowe
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Leasowe
Across Wirral council
Places available
3,889
Applications
3,305
Got 1st preference
95.3%
Got preferred school
99.1%
All secondary applications across Wirral council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
461
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Clare Mount Specialist Sports College provides for pupils with autism and moderate learning difficulties.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
461
Total Pupils
330
Boys
131
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
68
Teachers
6.8:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£56,695
Mean salary
2026 data
Pupil Absence2024/25
11.2%
Overall absence
32.8%
Persistent absence
369
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
Clare Mount Specialist Sports College
Showing 10 of 13 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Clare Mount Specialist Sports College
What are GCSE results like at Clare Mount Specialist Sports College?
In the 2026 results, pupils at Clare Mount Specialist Sports College achieved an Attainment 8 score of 16.1. 4% passed GCSE English and maths at grade 5 or above.
What is Clare Mount Specialist Sports College's Ofsted rating?
Clare Mount Specialist Sports College's most recent Ofsted inspection, in May 2026, produced a report card, which grades each area but gives no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in October 2010, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for Clare Mount Specialist Sports College?
No fixed boundary. When Clare Mount Specialist Sports College is oversubscribed, Wirral allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to Clare Mount Specialist Sports College?
Clare Mount Specialist Sports College has around 461 pupils on roll. 59% are eligible for free school meals.
Does Clare Mount Specialist Sports College have specialist SEN provision?
Clare Mount Specialist Sports College provides for pupils with autism and moderate learning difficulties.
What is attendance like at Clare Mount Specialist Sports College?
11.2% of sessions were missed at Clare Mount Specialist Sports College in 2024/25. 32.8% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Clare Mount Specialist Sports College?
Apply through Wirral's coordinated admissions process, naming Clare Mount Specialist Sports College 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 Clare Mount Specialist Sports College?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 24 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 8 serious and 16 slight. 5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot, 2 on a bicycle and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise. 8 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 Wirral is 15 (the median across 136 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Clare Mount Specialist Sports College?
Clare Mount Specialist Sports College is at Birket Avenue, Leasowe, CH46 1RA.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)