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LIPA Sixth Form College

Liverpool, L1 9DYSecondaryAges 14–19MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
5 Requires improvement
Jun 2025
Progress 8
No data
Competition
1.2×
Oversubscribed
65 1st-choice / 56 places
Ranking
Not ranked

About LIPA Sixth Form College

LIPA Sixth Form College is a state secondary for 14- to 19-year-olds in Liverpool, and its intake figures reveal a school under significant pressure. The school has capacity for 572 pupils but currently houses 402, leaving it operating well below capacity. Yet for the 2025/26 admissions cycle, it received 283 applications for just 56 places, making it heavily oversubscribed with a ratio of over five applicants per place. Of those, 65 put it as their first preference, and 34 received first-preference offers. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 32.7%, which is notably higher than the national average for secondary schools and reflects the local context of Liverpool, a city with above-average deprivation. This combination of strong local demand and a high-needs intake suggests a school that serves a specific community, likely attracting families who value its specialist focus on performing arts within a state-funded setting.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range14 to 19 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
Address41 Upper Duke Street, Liverpool, Liverpool, L1 9DY
HeadteacherEdward Pinner
Local AuthorityLiverpool
Number of Pupils402
Free School Meals (FSM)32.7%
School Capacity402 / 572 (70% full)

Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

5 Jun 2025
View Report
Quality of Education
Inadequate
Behaviour & Attitudes
Inadequate
Personal Development
Inadequate
Leadership & Management
Inadequate
Early Years Provision
Inadequate

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.

Source: Ofsted, 9 Jul 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

12
Swimming PoolGymnasiumDining HallMusic RoomsSports HallICT SuiteScience LabsTennis CourtsSixth Form CentrePlaying FieldsLibraryArt Studios

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

14

Sports

TennisRoundersAthleticsGymnasticsRowingFootballRugbyNetball

Clubs & Activities

Model United NationsArt ClubDramaChoirFilm ClubDebate

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About LIPA Sixth Form College

LIPA Sixth Form College has been rated "Inadequate" by Ofsted. This means the school has been identified as needing significant improvement. Ofsted will monitor the school closely.