Hillside Specialist School and College
URN: 131479 • Preston PR3 3XB
Overview
- Name
- Hillside Specialist School and College
- URN
- 131479
- Type
- Community special school
- Phase
- Not applicable
- Status
- Open
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious
- Does not apply
- Admissions
- Not applicable
- Trust
- Private
- No
- Ofsted rating
- Good
- Ranking score
- 57.8 / 100
Leadership & Contact
- Headteacher
- Paul Leaper (since 2025) , Acting Head Teacher
- Telephone
- 01772782205
- Website
- Visit
- Address
- Ribchester Road, Preston PR3 3XB
Summary
Hillside Specialist School and College, located in Preston, Lancashire, is a community special school dedicated to supporting students aged three to nineteen with Autism Spectrum Disorder. With a current enrolment of 115 pupils, the school aims to provide a nurturing and safe environment where each child can learn to their full potential. The school emphasizes respect, responsibility, creativity, and individuality, fostering a strong sense of community among students and staff.
The curriculum at Hillside is personalized and designed to address the unique challenges faced by students with autism. It focuses on overcoming barriers to learning, enhancing communication and social interaction skills, and encouraging positive behaviour management. The school employs an eclectic approach to teaching, incorporating current educational theories and methods to meet the diverse needs of its pupils.
Hillside Specialist School values collaboration with parents and other professionals, ensuring a holistic approach to education. By working together, the school aims to provide a broad and balanced curriculum that not only meets academic needs but also supports personal growth and development.
The curriculum at Hillside is personalized and designed to address the unique challenges faced by students with autism. It focuses on overcoming barriers to learning, enhancing communication and social interaction skills, and encouraging positive behaviour management. The school employs an eclectic approach to teaching, incorporating current educational theories and methods to meet the diverse needs of its pupils.
Hillside Specialist School values collaboration with parents and other professionals, ensuring a holistic approach to education. By working together, the school aims to provide a broad and balanced curriculum that not only meets academic needs but also supports personal growth and development.
Useful links
- Governors (governance)
- Parent Governor Vacancy October 2025 (governance)
- Pupil absences and illnesses (sen)
- Sensory Integration (sen)
- Upcoming Events upcoming Events Learn More (calendar)
- School Council Christmas Events (calendar)
- School Prospectus (download)
- Please review our cookie policy (other)
- Admissions (other)
- Policies (other)
Nearby alternatives
- Kirkham Pear Tree School (67.3)
- Cedar Lodge School (65.3)
- Progress School (63.8)
- Bracken School (62.7)
- University of Central Lancashire (58.7)
Key details
- LA
- Lancashire
- Age range
- 3 - 19
- Boarders
- No boarders
- Sixth form
- Has a sixth form
- Trust
- Capacity
- 99
- Pupils
- 115
- Boys
- 88
- Girls
- 27
- FSM %
- 37.40
- Open date
- Close date
- Last Ofsted
- 2024-03-06
- Next inspection
- Data snapshot
- 2025-07-14
- County
- Lancashire
Trends
| Date | Pupils | Boys | Girls | Capacity | FSM% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-14 | 115 | 88 | 27 | 99 | 37.40 |
| 2024-09-11 | 108 | 83 | 25 | 99 | 36.50 |
| 2023-09-11 | 100 | 77 | 23 | 99 | 35.90 |
| 2022-09-11 | 100 | 77 | 23 | 99 | 35.90 |
| 2021-09-11 | 94 | 72 | 22 | 99 | 34.10 |
| 2020-09-11 | 95 | 75 | 20 | 98 | 30.10 |
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