Learn 4 Life School, Skelmersdale

Special
Other independent special school
Mixed
Ages 1116

Data last updated 11 Sept 2026

Location

Key Information

DfE GIAS
Head:Mr James McAlpine
Pupils:16 / 16 capacity
LA:St. Helens
Phone:01942466318
Address:64a Rectory Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Skelmersdale, WN4 0QD
Admissions:Not applicable
Status:open
Opened:17 August 2005

Ofsted Rating

Ofsted · 1 year ago
-

Overall

Inspected 29 April 2025View full report
URN:129571
UKPRN:10016342
Diocese:Not applicable
Constituency:St Helens North
Urban/Rural:Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Ofsted Insights

What This School Does Well

Learn 4 Life School excels at creating a welcoming, nurturing environment where pupils with emotional and behavioural needs feel valued and supported. Most pupils have been out of education for some time, and the school helps them settle back in, improve their attendance, and work towards real qualifications. Staff use proven strategies to support pupils' emotional wellbeing and behaviour, creating a calm atmosphere where learning can happen.

Key Strengths

  • Pupils enjoy coming to school and benefit from a caring, supportive environment with high staff ratios
  • Strong focus on helping pupils work towards formal qualifications like GCSEs alongside vocational placements
  • Well-designed curriculum that considers pupils' individual needs and prior learning, with particular strength in PSHE education covering healthy relationships, mental health and British values
  • Effective behaviour support strategies that help pupils regulate their emotions and create a calm, purposeful atmosphere
  • Staff feel well supported with good professional development and manageable workloads

Areas for Improvement

  • Some pupils do not use accurate grammar, punctuation and spelling in their writing, which can impact how well their work communicates its intended meaning
  • The school does not sufficiently analyse patterns in incidents involving pupils' unacceptable language, limiting its ability to identify trends and respond swiftly

Safeguarding

Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with secure systems in place including a properly maintained single central record and appropriate pupil supervision throughout the school day.

Extracurricular Activities

Visits to local foodbank to support the community

Learn 4 Life School is a welcoming, friendly independent special school for pupils aged 11-16 with social, emotional and mental health needs. The school provides a safe, nurturing environment where pupils settle well and improve their attendance and behaviour.

At a Glance

No

Boarding

No

Nursery

No

Sixth Form

No

Special Measures

Class Sizes

0.0

Avg class size

0

Total classes

2024/25 academic year

Getting There

Bus Stops

Rectory Road (NW-bound)
29m · 0 min walk
Elm Avenue (nr)
105m · 2 min walk
Booths Brow Road (opp)
175m · 3 min walk
Cemetery (opp)
236m · 4 min walk
Brocstedes Road (opp)
266m · 4 min walk
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Capacity & Demand

School Occupancy

100%

Over capacity

16 pupils

16 capacity

0 places over capacity

Area Demand Pressure - Skelmersdale

Low pressure
New homes approved:763
Projected new pupils:137

Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Skelmersdale

Admissions Demand - St. Helens

Low demand0.89x oversubscription

Places available

2,109

Applications

1,879

Got 1st preference

96.9%

Got preferred school

99.5%

Secondary admissions across St. Helens (2025/26)

Inspection History(10)

29 April 2025
12 March 2025
4 October 2022

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SEN Provision

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Pupil Demographics

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Feeder Primary Schools

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