Hope High School
Community special school in Skelmersdale (Lancashire).
Location
iSchool location from Get Information about Schools. Nearby schools are coloured by phase. Open Map+ for a full-screen map with neighbourhood deprivation (England only).About
A warm welcome to Hope High School; a school for young people aged 11 to 16 who have individual needs based on Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties. We are a purpose-built school with facilities designed to support our learners towards success.
Our facilities include a fully equipped cookery room, Design Technology workshop, an Art studio, Forest School area, Sports hall with gymnasium and climbing wall and of course classrooms each having the latest learning technology. Our school boasts a fantastic staff team committed to improving the life chances of our young people. Our expectations are high.
We aspire for pupils to flourish and succeed socially, emotionally and academically. We personalise the curriculum and strive for every learner to make accelerated levels of academic progress. We build upon their interests, their strengths and learning styles whilst acknowledging what motivates them to learn.
Our experienced and skilled staff use their expertise to tailor individual strategies to improve pupils self-esteem and confidence, which we understand is a foundation for success. Young people develop their ability to build relationships, develop positive behaviour and become motivated and enthusiastic learners.
In the school’s own words, from the school website.
Enrichment
2 activitiesiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Forest School
- Trauma Informed Schools
Awards
1 awardiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Duke of EdinburghPersonal development
Key facts
- URN
- 119898
- Type
- Community special school
- Phase
- Not applicable
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Does not have a sixth form
- Local authority
- Lancashire
- Constituency
- West Lancashire
- Setting
- Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
Governing body (8 current, 5 former)
Special schools governing body.
Leadership
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Matthew Walker | Chair of Governors | Appointed by GB/board | since 2023 · until 2029 |
Full governing body
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Colin Watson | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2026 · until 2030 |
| Mr Alan Brindle | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Mrs Linda Ashton | Governor | Elected by parents | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Mr Peter Swarbrick | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Mr Richard Farbon | Governor | Nominated by LA and appointed by GB | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Mrs Helen Dunbavin | Governor | Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Mrs Lorimer Ann Russell-Hayes | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mr Matthew Davison Former | Governor | Elected by school staff | since 2026 · term ended 2026 |
| Mrs Leanne Fletcher Former | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2025 · term ended 2026 |
| Mrs Angela Blacoe Former | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · term ended 2026 |
| Miss Emma Davies Former | Governor | Elected by parents | since 2022 · term ended 2026 |
| Mr Andy Argile Former | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2020 · term ended 2026 |
Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools (governance records, as at 25 October 2026). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Names are shown as published; there are no addresses or contact details. Current and former are worked out from term end dates when the page loads. Object or ask for removal · Report an issue with this record