Launchpad Centre
College Street, St Helens, WA10 1UHOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Launchpad Centre is an alternative provision school in St Helens for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 76 schools in St. Helens. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2017.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 1 March 2017, report published 24 March 2017
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 22 June 2022
Pupils learn to enjoy education when they join this school. They feel welcome, safe, valued and listened to by staff. Over time, pupils become resilient and develop their confidence and self-belief. Staff have high expectations. Pupils rise to these expectations and achieve well. Staff know pupils extremely well. Teachers give pupils individual attention, which helps pupils to feel safe and supported in school. The strong, respectful relationships between pupils and staff are the foundation to the school's success. Pupils' behaviour improves over time because they learn how to manage their emotions. When pupils do fall out, staff help them to understand and respect different opinions. Staff are quick to notice and intervene when a pupil needs extra help. Pupils are well supported by staff to talk, reflect and deal successfully with any problems or concerns. Pupils are confident that adults will resolve any incidents of bullying. Leaders provide a range of exciting experiences for pupils. These include kayaking, climbing and outdoor education. Trips to theatres and museums bring classroom learning to life. Pupils appreciate the range of trips and visits that leaders plan for them.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, leaders have not ensured that pupils' learning develops in a logical sequence. Where this is the case, pupils' learning slows. Leaders should ensure that, in all subjects, the curriculum sets out how pupils should build their learning in well- ordered steps.
- Subject leaders and teachers have limited opportunities to share their expertise in delivering the curriculum. This means that the effective delivery of the curriculum in some parts of the school is not fully replicated across the other centres. Leaders should ensure that staff benefit from opportunities to learn from the expertise of others in order to further develop their success in implementing the curriculum.
Pupil numbers and mix
66 pupils on roll
Schools near Launchpad Centre
| School | Distance | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| Pace | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good |
| Meadow Park School | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good |
| The Bridge School | 8 miles | Ofsted: Good |
| New Heights High School | 8 miles | Ofsted: Good |
| Three Towers Alternative Provision Academy | 8 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good |
School details
- School type
- Pupil referral unit
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mr Michael Power
- Phone
- 01744412850
- Address
- College Street, St Helens, WA10 1UH
- Local authority
- St. Helens
- URN
- 132033
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.