LIPA Sixth Form College, Liverpool

Ofsted's report card from its 28 April 2026 inspection grades LIPA Sixth Form College on 5 areas: 1 strong standard and 4 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have created a welcoming, inclusive culture where staff know their students well and support them to participate fully in their learning."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Following the previous inspection, new leaders and trustees have brought swift improvements and increased stability to the college."

Achievement - Strong standard. "Students, regardless of starting points or barriers to learning, achieve extremely well."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders plan inclusive and ambitious curriculums that are informed by industry practices and that are highly relevant and responsive to students' and industry need."

Participation and development - Expected standard. "Staff are ambitious for their students."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to improve teachers' skills so that students benefit from a consistently high-quality curriculum and expert teaching and training across all pathways"; "Leaders should fully embed the new personal development curriculum so that students confidently and routinely apply and demonstrate fundamental British values, tolerance and respect"; "Leaders should implement a systematic approach to planning, reviewing and adapting the support that students need to progress, achieve and thrive"; "Leaders and trustees should continue to build on the improving relationships they have fostered with staff following the mistrust previously prevalent".

In its own words: "We are just one of a handful of further education providers in England to focus on the creative and performing arts. When it comes to offering places, we believe your potential and passion matter most."

Coming up: an open day on Saturday 28 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

LIPA Sixth Form College is one of 2 schools run by The Lipa Multi Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 189 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 66% went on to university or other higher education, 1% to apprenticeships and 20% into work. 10% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

13.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 0.3% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (85%) and Mixed (7%).

In 2026, 55 pupils (13.8%) received SEN support and 13 (3.3%) had an education, health and care plan. The most common need among them is a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

The nearest railway station is Liverpool Central Loop Line, about 740 metres away (roughly a 9-minute walk).

21 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Pilgrim Street (adjacent), 50 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 1786 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, drug offences and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Liverpool (342), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, LIPA Sixth Form College issued 1 suspension, 0.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.