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catchment.school

LIPA School Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

LIPA School is a free s special school in Liverpool , serving pupils aged 4-16, with 593 pupils, and a capacity of 572 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

4-16

Age range

593

Pupils

572

Capacity

104%

Fill rate

Requires improvement

Ofsted 2024

LIPA School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for LIPA School?

LIPA School is a special school in Liverpool, and it does not use a standard catchment area. Liverpool allocates places through each child's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) rather than home-to-school distance, so placement depends on assessed need rather than a geographic boundary.

Admission to LIPA School follows a different process from mainstream schools. Liverpool assesses each child's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to determine appropriate placement. Catchment area does not apply in the same way as mainstream admissions.

Currently oversubscribed: 593 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 572 places. Living within the catchment area is especially important for this school.

Not getting a place? Learn how to appeal a school place →

Want the cut-off distance before you apply? Get an alert when Liverpool publishes the 2027 LIPA School numbers →

For more information on how Liverpool assesses EHCP placements and which schools are named, contact the council's SEND team directly. The council must publish its Local Offer explaining available provision.

Find Liverpool catchment area documents →

LIPA School: at or above its 572 place limit

LIPA School has a published admission number of 572 places. 593 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 104%. The school is at or above its published limit of 572 places. Liverpool allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. The last-distance figure is likely to remain tight if demand holds at this level.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 32.7% of pupils at LIPA School are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Liverpool.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

LIPA School: School Information

Full address
Upper Duke Street, Liverpool, L1 7BT
Local authority
Liverpool
School type
Free schools
Phase of education
Special
Age range
4-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
32.7% of pupils
DfE URN
141103

Other Special Schools in Liverpool

If LIPA School is oversubscribed, these special schools in Liverpool are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest special schools by distance

These are the special schools closest to LIPA School by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: LIPA School

What is the catchment area for LIPA School?

LIPA School is a special school in Liverpool, and it does not use a standard catchment area. Liverpool allocates places through each child's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) rather than home-to-school distance, so placement depends on assessed need rather than a geographic boundary.

Is LIPA School oversubscribed?

Yes, LIPA School currently has 593 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 572 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for LIPA School?

Admission to LIPA School is managed by Liverpool. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does LIPA School cover?

LIPA School is a special school in Liverpool, serving pupils aged 4-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for LIPA School?

LIPA School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted in 2024. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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