West Derby School is a mainstream secondary school in Liverpool for boys aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 216 of its 1,011 pupils (21.4%) were getting SEN support and 27 (2.7%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,011 pupils
- Boys only
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Liverpool.
21.4% get SEN support
216 of 1,011 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
2.7% have an EHC plan
27 of 1,011 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism99
- Social, emotional and mental health59
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia44
- Moderate learning difficulty15
- Speech, language and communication11
- Physical disability7
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Academy
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys only
- Pupils
- 1,011 (places for 1,073)
- Headteacher
- Sian Graham
- Part of
- West Derby School
- Free school meals
- 39.6% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Liverpool
- School reference (URN)
- 138696
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Liverpool council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Good, May 2023
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in May 2023.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Sixth formGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
364 West Derby Rd, Liverpool, L13 7HQ
Loading the map…
Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Co-op Academy Rathbone Special school · Ages 5–11 · Ofsted: Inadequate 0.1 miles
- Sandfield Park School Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.7 miles
- Corinthian Community Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 0.8 miles
- Phoenix Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.0 mile
Other mainstream schools
- St Cecilia's Catholic Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 12.5%, EHC plans 3.6% 0.2 miles
- Roscoe Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 34%, EHC plans 4.4% 0.4 miles
- Holly Lodge Girls' College Secondary · Ages 11–18 · SEN support 22%, EHC plans 1.5% 0.4 miles
All mainstream schools in Liverpool SEND schools in Liverpool
Questions about West Derby School
How many pupils at West Derby School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 216 of the 1,011 pupils (21.4%) were getting SEN support and 27 (2.7%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at West Derby School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (99 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (59 pupils) and dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (44 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at West Derby School?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at West Derby School?
Through Liverpool council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to West Derby School?
You can ask for West Derby School to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does West Derby School have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Corinthian Community Primary School, about 0.8 miles away.
Where is West Derby School?
364 West Derby Rd, Liverpool, L13 7HQ, in Liverpool.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.