SchoolScoresHorizons Independent School
Independent special school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
60 Mendip Road, Birkenhead, CH42 8NU
0151 294 2826 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 3 March 2026 , published 11 June 2026.
In short: 1 expected, 5 needs attention, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
At its last standard inspection the school did not meet all of the independent school standards, the legal requirements every independent school must meet.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted non-association independent schools inspection data.
What parents say
10 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
| Statement | This school | England |
|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school | 70% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school | 80% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved | 40% | 78% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 10 parents of children with SEND | 90% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent | 90%said yes | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 48%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
We don't show GCSE or primary results for independent schools. DfE's tables often leave out the IGCSEs and other qualifications many independent schools use, so their published figures can look far lower than pupils' real results. Ask the school for its results.
Admissions
Independent schools run their own admissions and set their own fees. Contact the school directly.
Nearby special schools
- Utopia 1.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Foxfield School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2023
- IMPACT Northwest Schools 2.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Kilgarth School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2015), confirmed 2024 · 0% grade 5+ English and maths
- Meadowside School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 0% grade 5+ English and maths
- Gilbrook School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 0% met expected standard (KS2)
- Wirral Wrap 2.6 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Hayfield School 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023 · 0% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Observatory School 2.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 0% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Horizons Independent School's Ofsted rating?
Horizons Independent School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 3 March 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 1 expected, 5 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
Would parents recommend Horizons Independent School?
90% of the 10 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Horizons Independent School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 151346.
- Inspections: Ofsted non-association independent schools management information, data to 31 July 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.