Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal), Lancaster
Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal) is an independent school for pupils aged 5 to 11 in Lancaster. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in May 2023.
- Ofsted
- Good (2023)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal) in detail
Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal) in its own words
In its own words: "At Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (formerly Lancaster Steiner School) , children will discover the joy of learning and experience the richness of childhood in an unhurried, thorough and creative environment, laying foundations for a lifelong love of learning."
The school runs a breakfast club from 8:30am and after-school care.
Vision and values (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Who goes there
In 2026, 6 pupils (46.2%) received SEN support and 1 (7.7%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Lancaster Rail Station, about 470 metres away (roughly a 6-minute walk).
9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Victoria (by), 90 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 429 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Lancashire (109), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 3 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Safeguarding: effective
Independent school standards
Met all the independent school standards.
- Part 1: quality of educationMet
- Part 2: pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural developmentMet
- Part 3: welfare, health and safetyMet
- Part 4: suitability of staff and proprietorsMet
- Part 5: premises and accommodationMet
- Part 6: information for parentsMet
- Part 7: handling of complaintsMet
- Part 8: leadership and managementMet
Source: Ofsted, non-association independent schools inspections and outcomes (Open Government Licence)
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its May 2023 inspection.
Rated Good for
Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Personal development, Leadership & management.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Keep up with Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal)
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 8
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 6
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 8 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 6 serious and 2 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot.
1 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 Lancashire is 12 (the median across 707 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
33%
Available places
13 pupils
40 places
27 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Lancaster
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Lancaster
Across Lancashire council
Places available
14,702
Applications
13,782
Got 1st preference
87.1%
Got preferred school
97.2%
All secondary applications across Lancashire council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(5)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
6
SEN Support
1
EHC Plans
53.8%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
13
Total Pupils
7
Boys
6
Girls
2026 academic year
Linked Schools
Schools linked by geographic proximity
Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal)
Questions parents ask about Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal)
What is Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal)'s Ofsted rating?
Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal) was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in May 2023.
Does Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal) meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in May 2023, Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal) met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal)?
Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal) has around 13 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal)?
Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal) is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal)?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 8 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 6 serious and 2 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot. 1 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 Lancashire is 12 (the median across 707 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal)?
Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal) is at Lune Road, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 5QU.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)