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#2 in Best Secondary Schools in West Lancashire
Maharishi Free School - Ofsted Report, Parent Reviews (2025)
Maharishi Free School
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Maharishi Free School
- All-through
- West Lancashire L40 6JJ
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Ofsted report
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| Effectiveness of leadership and management | Good |
| Early years provision | Good |
| Overall effectiveness at previous inspection | Good |
| Quality of teaching, learning and assessment | Good |
| Personal development, behaviour and welfare | Outstanding |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
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This insight was generated by AI, based on latest Ofsted report.
Academic Progress: Academic outcomes have improved significantly under new leadership.
Behaviour and Attitudes: Pupils’ attitudes and behaviour are outstanding; they are considerate, confident, and keen to learn.
Support for Pupils Falling Behind: Focused efforts to improve mathematics teaching have helped raise achievement levels quickly.
Teacher Engagement: A considerable number of new teachers have brought experience and fresh ideas, supported by good training.
Impact of Teaching on Student Progress: Teaching quality is broadly good with significant recent improvements, particularly in mathematics.
Strengths or Challenges with Teaching Staff: Teachers’ expectations are rising, but there is a need for consistently high standards in assessing pupil understanding.
Opportunities for Parent Involvement: Parents are involved through communication about attendance and collaboration on reading activities.
Communication with Parents: Parents receive regular updates on attendance and progress.
Parent Satisfaction: Parents are happy and endorse the positive environment of the school.
Handling Conflicts and Concerns: Leaders have created an open and trusting environment where pupils feel valued and safe.
Actions to Enhance Education Quality: The headteacher’s contributions have resulted in improved academic results and better teaching quality.
Managing Bullying and Ensuring Safety: The school has a very low threshold for monitoring behavior, contributing to a safe environment.
Behaviour and Attitudes of Pupils: Behaviour is outstanding; pupils focus well and show enthusiasm in their studies.
Promoting Pupils' Welfare and Safety: The school promotes excellent spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development.
Extracurricular Activities & Clubs: The school offers additional GCSEs in computer science, photography, dance, and a second modern language.
Balancing Academics with Extracurriculars: Activities such as residential visits broaden pupils' cultural and social skills.
Outdoor Facilities: Underdeveloped outdoor provision limits opportunities in the early years.
Preparation for Next Key Stage: Pupils are very well prepared for their next stages in education.
Career Counselling Services: Supplementary GCSEs support career readiness in secondary phase.
Support for SEND: Funding effectively supports pupils with SEN, who make particularly strong progress.
Subjects Offered: In addition to core subjects, the school offers four additional GCSEs outside normal school hours.
Historical Ofsted reports
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About Us
Maharishi Free School is a All-through, Co-Ed school located in Lancashire, North West.
It has 230 students from age 4-16 yr with a student-teacher ratio of 13 : 1.
At this school, 35% of pupils achieved grade 5 or more at GCSE.
This school rated Good by recent Ofsted inspection.
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Maharishi Free School
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From the Maharishi Free School
Salutations from Maharishi School. We are an all-through school (primary and secondary) located in a gorgeously transformed traditional stone building overlooking the magnificent West Lancashire countryside and in a neighbouring building that has just undergone renovations. Visitors from all over the world are enthralled by our students' extraordinary curiosity, the atmosphere they foster in the classroom, and their profound understanding of life's most fundamental truths. These students display a level of maturity and wholeness that is uncommon in other schools. The use of consciousness-based education, which Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, after whom the institution is called, founded, is the cause of this obvious distinction. Transcendental Meditation (TM) was popularised more than 60 years ago by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and it serves as the foundation for consciousness-based education. At the Maharishi School, all of the administrative and teaching staff use the technique, and students meditate in class as part of the academic day. Visit uk.tm.org.uk to learn more about this extraordinary method. The Maharishi School is a secular, nonreligious institution. We accept students of all religious affiliations as well as atheists. We currently have students who represent a wide range of major religions. The national curriculum is followed at Maharishi School. View More: The Framework Document for the National Curriculum in England. One class per year group is used to organise the kids (max 18 pupils per year). Each class has a cross section of children within the year group and the children are taught in mixed ability classes. The children's work has broadly similar content, though the work is differentiated to provide appropriate support for children who find the work more challenging and also additional challenge for the more able within the classes.
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Gallery
Primary Exam Result
View the average scaled scores of pupils in the key stage 2 reading and math tests. Scores of 100 or more indicate the expected standard, while 110 or more indicate a higher standard.
| Average scaled score | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maths | 100 | 96 | 97 |
| Reading | 102 | 97 | 98 |
Explore how well our pupils are doing academically. Discover the percentage of pupils who reach the expected level (with a score of 100 or more) and those who excel even further (achieving a score of 110 or more).
| Reading, writing and maths | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils meeting the expected standard | 40% | 55.57% | 55.96% |
| Pupils achieving at a higher standard | 0% | 7.4% | 7.42% |
Explore how much progress pupils have made in reading, writing, and math from key stage 1 to key stage 2.
| Subject | Progress score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | -2.4 | Below Average |
| Writing | -3 | Below Average |
| Maths | -4.2 | Below Average |
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic 2020, 2021 and 2022 Primary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic 2020, 2021 and 2022 Primary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic 2020, 2021 and 2022 Primary school exam
results were not published at school level.
View the average scaled scores of pupils in the key stage 2 reading and math tests. Scores of 100 or more indicate the expected standard, while 110 or more indicate a higher standard.
| Average scaled score | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maths | 102 1 | 95 | 96 |
| Reading | 104 2 | 95 | 95 |
Explore how well our pupils are doing academically. Discover the percentage of pupils who reach the expected level (with a score of 100 or more) and those who excel even further (achieving a score of 110 or more).
| Reading, writing and maths | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils meeting the expected standard | 56% 11 | 60.01% | 60.44% |
| Pupils achieving at a higher standard | 6% | 9.2% | 9.72% |
Explore how much progress pupils have made in reading, writing, and math from key stage 1 to key stage 2.
| Subject | Progress score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | -1.5 | Below Average |
| Writing | -0.9 | Below Average |
| Maths | -3.1 | Below Average |
View the average scaled scores of pupils in the key stage 2 reading and math tests. Scores of 100 or more indicate the expected standard, while 110 or more indicate a higher standard.
| Average scaled score | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maths | 103 2 | 94 | 94 |
| Reading | 106 2 | 95 | 95 |
Explore how well our pupils are doing academically. Discover the percentage of pupils who reach the expected level (with a score of 100 or more) and those who excel even further (achieving a score of 110 or more).
| Reading, writing and maths | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils meeting the expected standard | 67% | 60.92% | 59.51% |
| Pupils achieving at a higher standard | 0% | 9.08% | 9.16% |
Explore how much progress pupils have made in reading, writing, and math from key stage 1 to key stage 2.
| Subject | Progress score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 0.6 | Average |
| Writing | -1.3 | Below Average |
| Maths | -3.4 | Below Average |
View the average scaled scores of pupils in the key stage 2 reading and math tests. Scores of 100 or more indicate the expected standard, while 110 or more indicate a higher standard.
| Average scaled score | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maths | 105 | 94 | 93 |
| Reading | 108 | 95 | 93 |
Explore how well our pupils are doing academically. Discover the percentage of pupils who reach the expected level (with a score of 100 or more) and those who excel even further (achieving a score of 110 or more).
| Reading, writing and maths | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils meeting the expected standard | 67% | 57.03% | 56.29% |
| Pupils achieving at a higher standard | 6% | 7.79% | 8.19% |
Explore how much progress pupils have made in reading, writing, and math from key stage 1 to key stage 2.
| Subject | Progress score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 1.9 | Above Average |
| Writing | -2.2 | Below Average |
| Maths | 1.0 | Above Average |
Secondary Exam Result
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.22 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 47.4 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 35% | 27.12% | 30.03% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 65% | 40.74% | 43.07% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 94% | 22.11% | 25.06% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 18% | 7.98% | 10.91% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 47% | 12.71% | 15.51% |
| EBacc average points score | 4.67 | 2.6 | 2.83 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 94% | 89.12% | 90.53% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 17 | 122 | 144 |
| Pupils staying in education | 94% | 79.99% | 84.16% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 24% | 41.65% | 32.73% |
| School sixth forms | 12% | 9.37% | 29.8% |
| Sixth form colleges | 59% | 16.94% | 10.22% |
| Other education destinations | 0% | 12% | 11.43% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 0% | 4.26% | 2.8% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 0% | 4.83% | 3.59% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | -0.18 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 52.6 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 53% | 28.66% | 32.85% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 71% | 41.51% | 45.33% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 94% | 21.47% | 24.94% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 41% | 9.88% | 13.02% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 59% | 13.38% | 17.19% |
| EBacc average points score | 5.29 | 2.67 | 2.97 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 89% | 86.93% | 90.4% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 18 | 118 | 141 |
| Pupils staying in education | 89% | 80.23% | 86.29% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 28% | 43.19% | 34.03% |
| School sixth forms | 0% | 9.66% | 30.82% |
| Sixth form colleges | 61% | 17.82% | 10.38% |
| Other education destinations | 0% | 9.63% | 11.08% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 0% | 3.52% | 1.99% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 0% | 3.21% | 2.13% |
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.83 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 49.6 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 29% 4 | 27.81% | 29.3% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 65% 15 | 41.27% | 43.41% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 77% | 21.2% | 25.8% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 18% 5 | 9.97% | 11.47% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 41% 16 | 13.93% | 16.49% |
| EBacc average points score | 4.42 | 2.66 | 2.88 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 100% | 91.76% | 90.2% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 14 | 113 | 135 |
| Pupils staying in education | 100% | 83.76% | 84.08% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 71% | 41.01% | 33.25% |
| School sixth forms | 0% | 10.33% | 31.27% |
| Sixth form colleges | 29% | 17.56% | 8.45% |
| Other education destinations | 0% | 14.91% | 11.14% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 0% | 5.24% | 3.4% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 0% | 2.84% | 2.75% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | -0.16 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 45.6 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 25% 4 | 26.28% | 29.22% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 50% | 38.78% | 42.62% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 100% | 18.19% | 24.73% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 13% 1 | 8.65% | 11.33% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 25% 11 | 12.36% | 16.01% |
| EBacc average points score | 4.56 | 2.51 | 2.84 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 100% | 79.62% | 84.87% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 15 | 109 | 140 |
| Pupils staying in education | 93% | 69.73% | 73.88% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 33% | 35.01% | 28.31% |
| School sixth forms | - | 9.64% | 31.6% |
| Sixth form colleges | 60% | 19.1% | 9.08% |
| Other education destinations | - | 5.5% | 5.87% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | - | 4.58% | 2.96% |
| Pupils staying in employment | - | 2.13% | 2.05% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.19 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 40.9 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 29% | 28.01% | 29.55% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 50% | 42.17% | 43.07% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 36% | 19.59% | 25.25% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 14% | 12.1% | 14.71% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 14% | 13.37% | 16.26% |
| EBacc average points score | - | - | - |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 100% | 83.93% | 85.29% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 15 | 118 | 145 |
| Pupils staying in education | 100% | 64.71% | 58.19% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 53% | 42.45% | 30.58% |
| School sixth forms | - | 10.87% | 32.22% |
| Sixth form colleges | 27% | 17.8% | 8.95% |
| Other education destinations | - | 6.07% | 5.7% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | - | 6.59% | 4.78% |
| Pupils staying in employment | - | 3% | 2.45% |
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Admission
Holidays & terms
Holidays 2024/25
| Holidays | Date |
|---|---|
| Autumn Half Term Holidays | 21st Oct 2024 - 25th Oct 2024 |
| Winter Holidays | 23rd Dec 2024 - 3rd Jan 2025 |
| Spring Half Term Holidays | 17th Feb 2025 - 21st Feb 2025 |
| Spring Holidays | 7th Apr 2025 - 21st Apr 2025 |
| Summer Half Term Holidays | 26th May 2025 - 30th May 2025 |
| Summer Holidays | 23rd Jul 2025 - 29th Aug 2025 |
Terms Dates 2024/25
| Terms | Dates |
|---|---|
| Autumn Term | 2nd Sep 2024 - 20th Oct 2024 |
| Autumn Term-2 | 26th Oct 2024 - 22nd Dec 2024 |
| Spring Term | 4th Jan 2025 - 16th Feb 2025 |
| Spring Term-2 | 22nd Feb 2025 - 6th Apr 2025 |
| Summer Term | 22nd Apr 2025 - 25th May 2025 |
| Summer Term-2 | 31st May 2025 - 22nd Jul 2025 |
Students Teachers
13 : 1
Student teacher ratio at Maharishi Free School
Local authority ratio 19 : 1
