New Lancashire school receives positive Ofsted report

Bullying was described as seldom present, with concerns dealt with quickly when they arise <i>(Image: Archive)</i>
Bullying was described as seldom present, with concerns dealt with quickly when they arise (Image: Archive)
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A Skelmersdale school which supports children with special educational needs and disabilities has received a positive report following its first standard Ofsted inspection.

Moss View School, on Moss Lane View, was inspected between October 6 and 8, having opened in January this year.

Ofsted found the school met the expected standard across achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing.

Safeguarding standards were also met, while the school met all eight categories of the independent school standards.

The independent school provides education for children aged between five and 11 and had 19 pupils at the time of the inspection, against a capacity of 48.

All pupils have an education, health and care plan, with the report stating pupils attending the school have social, emotional or mental health needs.

Inspectors said some children arrive at Moss View having spent "significant proportions of time away from formal education", leaving gaps in their knowledge.

However, the report found pupils are typically well supported in catching up with the learning they have missed.

Inspectors particularly highlighted phonics, saying pupils make "sustained and positive progress", helping many to read fluently by the end of Key Stage 1.

The report added: "Generally, pupils are well prepared for their next steps in education."

Attendance and behaviour were also praised.

Some children arrive at Moss View having experienced very low attendance at previous schools, but inspectors said carefully considered transition arrangements help pupils settle in and re-engage with education.

Ofsted said: "Pupils build trusting relationships with staff. This can be seen in the way they eagerly come into school of a morning.

"Their positive relationships with staff helps to make pupils feel safe and happy in school."

Inspectors also found classrooms were typically "purposeful and calm", with staff providing personalised support for pupils with complex emotional needs.

Bullying was described as seldom present, with concerns dealt with quickly when they arise.

The school's approach to inclusion was highlighted, with inspectors saying leaders work with families, previous schools and other professionals to understand children's individual needs before they join.

Staff then create "bespoke transition journeys" and make adjustments to support pupils once they begin at Moss View.

Several parents told inspectors they had seen significant social and emotional development in their children since joining the school.

Staff were also described as "resoundingly positive" about measures taken by leaders to manage workloads and support their wellbeing.

Ofsted praised the school's personal development provision, which includes teaching children how to stay safe around open water and online, as well as opportunities to take part in art, football and photography competitions.

Pupils also take trips to Roman sites, museums, beaches and fells to help bring their classroom learning to life.

Inspectors did identify improvements they want the school to make around writing.

They found that, for a small number of pupils, learning activities do not always address misconceptions in writing precisely enough, meaning gaps in knowledge can take longer to close.

Ofsted said pupils in Key Stage 2 should also be given more opportunities to practise longer pieces of written work across the curriculum.

The school's next steps are therefore to ensure writing activities consistently address gaps in pupils' knowledge and to give older pupils appropriate opportunities to practise and refine extended writing.

Moss View School was registered by the Department for Education in November 2025 and is operated by Rethink Education Limited.

Katey Jacobs is the school's headteacher and chair of the proprietor body.

According to the Ofsted report, annual fees charged by the school currently range from £47,500 to £71,500.

This was Moss View School's first standard inspection.

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