Pontville School, Ormskirk

Special
Other independent special school
Mixed
Ages 519

Data last updated 11 Sept 2026

Location

Key Information

DfE GIAS
Head:Mrs Hayley Dorian
Pupils:121 / 155 capacity
LA:Lancashire
Phone:01695578734
Address:Black Moss Lane, Ormskirk, L39 4TW
Admissions:Selective
Status:open
Opened:19 November 2001

Ofsted Rating

Ofsted · 1 year ago
-

Overall

Inspected 20 May 2025View full report
URN:133540
UKPRN:10017096
Diocese:Not applicable
Constituency:West Lancashire
Urban/Rural:Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Ofsted Insights

What This School Does Well

Pontville School creates a welcoming environment where pupils flourish, are happy, and achieve well. The school excels at developing pupils' communication skills and confidence through specialist support tailored to individual needs. Students in the sixth form receive exceptional support that helps them succeed in vocational studies and move on to meaningful destinations.

Key Strengths

  • Pupils achieve well with high aspirations supported by expert help from staff
  • Outstanding personal development provision, especially for sixth-form students
  • Rich curriculum with carefully planned trips, sports, arts, music and practical life skills
  • Staff skilled at identifying and supporting additional needs using EHC plan information
  • Effective behaviour support and improved school attendance rates

Areas for Improvement

  • Some pupils do not receive enough support to become fluent readers and struggle to access parts of the curriculum as a result

Safeguarding

Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with strong policies and a culture that prioritises the safety and well-being of staff and pupils.

Extracurricular Activities

Sports, arts, music, strategy games, relaxation activities, anti-bullying ambassador roles, Junior Leadership Team, museum trips, shopping and budgeting skills, travel planning

Pontville School is a special school for pupils aged 5-19 with a range of needs including autism and communication difficulties. The school provides good quality education with outstanding personal development and sixth-form provision.

At a Glance

No

Boarding

No

Nursery

Yes

Sixth Form

No

Special Measures

What Parents Think

117 responses
Would recommend44%
Child is happy50%
Well taught53%
Good progress48%
Feels safe50%
Well behaved42%
Bullying dealt with16%
Kept informed54%
Handles concerns34%
Wider development44%

Source: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree

Class Sizes

0.0

Avg class size

0

Total classes

2024/25 academic year

Getting There

Train Stations

Aughton Park Rail Station
625m · 10 min walk

Bus Stops

Prescot Green (opp)
127m · 2 min walk
Gore Drive (opp)
334m · 5 min walk
St Annes Church (o/s)
368m · 6 min walk
St Bedes RCHS (by)
375m · 6 min walk
Priory Grove (opp)
413m · 7 min walk
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Capacity & Demand

School Occupancy

78%

Available places

121 pupils

155 capacity

34 spare places available

Area Demand Pressure - Ormskirk

Low pressure
New homes approved:1,116
Projected new pupils:201

Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Ormskirk

Admissions Demand - Lancashire

Low demand0.93x oversubscription

Places available

14,786

Applications

13,820

Got 1st preference

86.3%

Got preferred school

96.8%

Secondary admissions across Lancashire (2025/26)

Inspection History(10)

20 May 2025
11 December 2024
20 June 2023

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SEN Provision

How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.

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Pupil Demographics

The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.

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