Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal)
Lune Road, Lancaster, LA1 5QUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal) is a primary school in Lancaster for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 692 schools in Lancashire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in May 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 23 May 2023, report published 17 July 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 23 May 2023
Pupils thrive in this nurturing school environment. This is a happy school. Pupils are articulate and spoke about the importance of the positive relationships that they have with staff. Pupils value the support that staff give them for their emotional well-being. Leaders are quick to deal with any incidents of unkind behaviour or bullying. As a result, pupils feel safe in school. Pupils rise to leaders' high expectations of their behaviour and achievement. Pupils are inquisitive and resilient learners. They are eager to learn and contribute enthusiastically to lessons. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve well in the school's specialist curriculum. Leaders provide a broad range of experiences to support pupils to develop their individuality and confidence. Pupils' wider personal development is enhanced through their learning in the outdoor learning environment. Pupils delight in the time that they spend outside. They told inspectors that they particularly enjoy the opportunities that they have to work on the school allotment and prepare for the Steiner Olympics. Pupils are confident and self-assured because they know that their views are important to staff and that their voices will be heard. Pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain.
What the school should improve
- In a very small number of subjects, leaders are still developing the curriculum and identifying the key knowledge that pupils need to know. In these subjects, pupils do not access the depth of learning that they could. They have some gaps in their learning as a result. Leaders should ensure that they finalise their curriculum thinking in these remaining subjects. This is so that teachers are clear about what content to teach and when it should be taught.
Pupil numbers and mix
13 pupils on roll, with places for 40
Schools near Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (Lisal)
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willow Lane Community Primary School | 0.2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | 46% met the expected standard |
| Lancaster Dallas Road Community Primary School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 65% met the expected standard |
| Lancaster Ryelands Primary School | 0.6 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | 63% met the expected standard |
| St Josephs Catholic Primary School, Lancaster | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | 33% met the expected standard |
| Morecambe and Heysham Grosvenor Park Primary School | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Good | 70% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Other independent school
- Sector
- Independent
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Ms Kathryn/Elspeth/Olakunbi Flasby/Mukerji/Mustapha
- Phone
- 01524381876
- Address
- Lune Road, Lancaster, LA1 5QU
- Local authority
- Lancashire
- URN
- 132095
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.