As a special school for pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities, all our pupils are working below the expected levels of the national tests at the relevant key stages. It is therefore almost always inappropriate for our children to be entered for these tests.

We recognise that Progression Guidance is no longer used to benchmark special school data. However, in the absence of an alternative national data set we are continuing to use this as a comparative indicator so we can compare data over time. We are part of the ‘North West Specialist Curriculum, Assessment and Pedagogy Group’ (NWSCAP previous NWSAG) which develops a coherent response to Assessment Without levels in the Special sector. NWSCAP allows the attainment and progress of our pupils to be bench-marked against the attainment and progress of other children of the same age, level of prior attainment and categories of Special Educational Need.

Our assessments are based on the professional judgment of staff. Teachers use their knowledge of the child, consider the contexts in which learning takes place and gather evidence from a variety of sources, to support their decisions and to make their judgements based on everyday activity as well as continual monitoring and assessment. These judgements are moderated both internally and externally with professionals from other schools.
 
Unlike the standard national curriculum, at special schools there is no expectation that a child will achieve a particular level by a given age or make progress at a predetermined rate. However, attainment of a level by a particular age helps identify likely rate of progress using the NWSCAP assessment tool. 

End of Key Stage Pupil Progress:

As described above, pupils’ progress is bench-marked against a data set from NWSCAP to either have ‘Expected Progress’ or ‘Exceeding Expected Progress’. Each pupil has their own target based on teacher judgements.
 
Key Stage 4 (Year 11)
20 pupils completed Key Stage 4 in summer 2024.  The final outcomes were very positive and we are incredibly proud of what the pupils achieved.

Academic Awards:

• English Functional Skills – Entry level 1 – 10 pupils
• English Functional Skills – Entry level 2 – 2 pupils
• Maths Functional Skills – Entry level 1 – 5 pupils
• Maths Functional Skills – Entry level 2 – 4 pupils
• Maths Functional Skills – Entry level 3 – 2 pupils
• BTEC Level 1 in Home Cooking – 7 pupils
• Highfield Food Safety Level 1 - 3 pupils
• Highfield Food Safety Level 2 - 6 pupils
• Physical Education – Entry level 1 – 9 pupils
• Physical Education – Entry level 2 – 5 pupils
• Physical Education – Entry level 3 – 2 pupils
• GCSE Maths – Grade 4 – 1 pupil
• GCSE Maths – Grade 3 – 1 pupil
• GCSE Science – Combined Double - Grade 4/3 – 1 pupil
• GCSE Science – Combined Double - Grade 1/1 – 1 pupil
• AQA Entry level Maths – Level 1 – 4 pupils
• AQA Entry level Maths – Level 2 – 10 pupils
• AQA Entry level Maths – Level 3 – 3 pupils
• AQA Entry level Double Science – Level 1 – 6 pupils
• AQA Entry level Double Science – Level 2 – 4 pupils
• AQA Entry level Double Science – Level 3 – 1 pupil
• AQA Entry level Single Science – Level 1 – 5 pupils

Further Studies:

• ASDAN Personal Development Program - Bronze - 8 pupils 
• ASDAN Personal Development Program - Silver - 9 pupils
• Duke of Edinburgh Award - Bronze - 2 pupils
• Duke of Edinburgh Award - Silver - 13 pupils

Other Vocational Awards gained by our students as part of their Enhanced Provisions through our recognised partners:

CWP - NCFE Level 1 Award in Exploring Occupational Studies for the Workplace (QCF) (Sep 2013)

      NCFE Level 1 Award in Occupational Studies for the Workplace (June 2022)      

      NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Occupational Studies for the Workplace (June 2022)      

      NCFE Level 1 Diploma in Occupational Studies for the Workplace (November 2017)

      NCFE Level 1 Award In Music Technology

      NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Interactive Media

AppleCast - Level 1 Skills for Further Learning and Employment

PVC - City and Guilds Level 1 Award in Construction

      City and Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Construction

PNE - NCFE Level 1 Award in Sport

      NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Sport

      NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Sport

      NCFE Level 1 and 2 Unit Awards in Sport

One Vision - ASDAN

Petite Education - LAMDA 

Fast Forward Vocational Training - Advanced Level 1 Motor Vehicle Studies

Myerscough - Individual Unit Certificates in Small Animal Care, Horticulture, Mechanics, Plant Maintenance

Destinations of YR 11 Leavers: 
 At the end of the 2023/2024 school year:

• 3 pupils moved onto Southport College
• 1 pupil moved onto Arden College
• 2 pupils moved onto Preston College
• 4 pupils moved onto Myerscough College
• 6 pupils moved onto West Lancs Community High School College
• 1 pupil moved to Huddersfield College
• 1 pupil moved to Blackpool & Flyde College
• 1 pupil moved to CWP/Greystones
• 1 pupil is now receiving home tutoring