UKSchoolSearch
OpenOfsted: Not judgedURN 127715

The Observatory School

Community special school · Prenton · CH43 7QT

Ages 7–16 · 174 pupils · Wirral

School website

Ofsted

Not judged

Attainment 8

7.3

Overall absence

30.1%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Not judged

Inspection date

2025-01-14

Overall effectiveness
Not judged
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-1.36
−20+2
Attainment 87.3
English & maths grade 5+5%
English & maths grade 4+5%
EBacc entry0%

EBacc APS: 0.6

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)0%
Higher standard (RWM)0%
Avg scaled score — reading
96.0
Avg scaled score — maths
85.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
90.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence30.1%
Persistent absence (10%+)70.6%
Unauthorised13.1%
Authorised absence
17.0%
Severe absence (50%+)
24.5%
Enrolments in measure
143

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill109%

174 pupils · 160 places

Pupils on roll
174
Boys / girls
141 / 33
School capacity
160
Capacity fill
174 / 160 (109%)
Free school meals
66.1%
FSM pupils
115
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community special school

Age range

Ages 7–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
Has Special Classes
Governance
Community special school
Headteacher
Mr Gregory Chiswell

Location

Address
Bidston Village Road, Bidston
Postcode
CH43 7QT
Town
Prenton
County
Merseyside
Local authority
Wirral
District
Wirral
Constituency
Birkenhead
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Special classes
Has Special Classes

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed community special school, Ages 7–16, in Prenton, Wirral, 174 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: special school. Free school meals: 66.1%. SEN provision includes: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health.

Open schools in Prenton
12
Academies among open schools in Prenton
42% (5)
Open schools in CH43
17
Open schools in Wirral LA
136

Nearby schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in PrentonNear CH43

  • Holy Cross Catholic Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Voluntary aided school · Primary

    Birkenhead · CH41 7DU · Wirral

    Ages 3–11

    • KS271%
    • Absence8.3%
    • FSM81.5%
    • Demand1.00

    0.5 miles away

  • St Paul's Catholic Primary School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Voluntary aided school · Primary

    Prenton · CH43 7TE · Wirral

    Ages 2–11

    • KS250%
    • Absence10.0%
    • FSM65.5%
    • Demand1.00

    0.6 miles away

  • Wirral Wrap

    Other independent special school

    Birkenhead · CH43 9LB · Wirral

    Ages 11–16

    0.7 miles away

  • Manor Primary School

    Ofsted: Requires improvement

    Academy converter · Primary

    Wirral · CH43 7ZU · Wirral

    Ages 3–11

    • Absence6.9%
    • FSM67.6%
    • Demand1.00

    0.7 miles away

  • Leasowe Primary School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Community school · Primary

    Wirral · CH46 1RU · Wirral

    Ages 3–11

    • KS256%
    • Absence10.7%
    • FSM74.2%
    • Demand0.94

    0.8 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Gregory Chiswell
Telephone
01516527093
Website
www.theobservatoryschool.wirral.sch.uk

Official links