Auckland College occupies a series of repurposed Victorian villas on Parkfield Road, a leafy residential pocket of Aigburth, Liverpool. It is a family-owned, all-through independent school that serves children from the age of three through to their GCSEs at sixteen. With a capacity of 380, it remains small enough to maintain the family feel that its founders, the Bradshaw family, intended when they established the school in 1999.
The school is currently led by Mrs Stephanie Livramento, who serves as the Headteacher. Unlike many larger independent schools, Auckland College does not select based on academic ability; instead, it positions itself as an inclusive alternative to the state sector, focusing on small class sizes and individual attention. The atmosphere is less about high-pressure scholarship and more about providing a steady, supportive environment where children can stay in one familiar setting for the entirety of their compulsory education.
The physical setting of Auckland College is distinctive, with the school operating across several converted residential properties. This architecture naturally limits the school to smaller class sizes, usually capped at eighteen pupils, which dictates much of the daily rhythm. There is a visible lack of the institutional coldness found in larger purpose-built schools; instead, the corridors feel domestic and well-used.
The school motto, Work Hard, Be Kind, is a simple instruction that pupils and students seem to follow. It reflects a culture that prioritises character and social ease alongside academic work. Because the school spans from nursery to Year 11, there is a strong sense of vertical community. Older students are often seen interacting with younger pupils, and the lack of a separate sixth form means the Year 11 cohort takes on the mantle of leadership early.
The latest Ofsted inspection, conducted in March 2024, rated the school as Good overall, with Behaviour and Attitudes judged as Outstanding. Observations highlight a school where students feel safe and respected, and where the small community allows for a high level of pastoral oversight. While it lacks the sprawling acreage of some Merseyside competitors, it makes effective use of its urban site, with recent investments in a dedicated STEAM room and refurbished primary classrooms.
At GCSE level, Auckland College results reflect its non-selective intake. In the most recent published data, the school achieved an Average Attainment 8 score of 28.7. The school ranks 46th in Liverpool for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). While this performance sits below the England average, it is important to view these figures in the context of the school's inclusive admissions policy and its focus on individual progress rather than high-stakes league table positions.
For many families here, the value is not found in an exam factory environment but in the fact that every student is supported to achieve their personal best. The school does not currently offer a sixth form, meaning students typically move to local colleges or larger independent sixth forms at the end of Year 11.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE 9–7
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% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum at Auckland College is broad, following the National Curriculum but with the flexibility that independent status allows. In the primary phase, there is a heavy emphasis on core literacy and numeracy, but this is balanced with specialist teaching in PE, Music, and Spanish from an early age.
As students move into the secondary phase, the focus shifts toward GCSE preparation. The small class sizes mean that teachers can provide significant one-to-one support, which is particularly beneficial for students who might feel overwhelmed in larger state comprehensive environments. The curriculum includes the core sciences, humanities, and arts, with the new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) initiatives designed to encourage practical, project-based learning.
The school uses a proprietary Auckland Plus programme to track progress beyond simple grades. This system monitors social development, effort, and participation, ensuring that a child's worth is not solely measured by their test scores.
The Auckland College Nursery provides the foundation for the school's all-through journey, accepting children from the age of three. It is an integrated part of the school, housed in a dedicated wing that allows for a smooth transition into the Reception class.
The environment is designed to be a home from home, focusing on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through structured play and early socialisation. The nursery benefits from the wider school's facilities, including the dining hall and outdoor play areas. Staff, referred to as practitioners, work closely with the primary teachers to ensure that children are school ready by the time they finish their nursery years.
For current nursery fee details, visit the school website. Government-funded hours are available for eligible families; see our guide to nursery funding for further information on how these can be applied.
Extracurricular life at Auckland is designed to be inclusive rather than elite. The school offers a range of clubs that run after the formal school day, including the Film Club, Chess Club, and various sports teams.
Sporting fixtures are held against other small independent schools in the region. While the school lacks its own playing fields on-site, it makes extensive use of local facilities at Sefton Park and nearby sports centres for football, cricket, and athletics. The Auckland Forest School programme is a notable feature for younger pupils, taking advantage of the nearby green spaces to teach outdoor skills and environmental awareness.
Music and Drama are also central to the school's identity. The annual whole-school production and regular musical showcases provide opportunities for students of all abilities to perform. The school also offers the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which is a popular choice for students in the secondary phase.
For the 2025/2026 academic year, fees are structured to provide flexibility for families. Annual fees before deductions are £7,650 for Pre-Prep, £7,200 for Prep (Reception to Year 6), and £9,000 for Seniors (Year 7 to Year 11). On a termly basis, Prep fees are £2,400 and Senior fees are £3,000.
Financial aid is primarily offered through a 10% annual payment discount for fees paid in full in advance. Families with more than one child attending the school can access a sibling discount, and the school also offers a £50 referral reward for recommending new families. While formal means-tested bursaries are not extensively publicised, the school aims to maintain an accessible fee structure compared to many other independent schools in the Merseyside area.
Auckland College is a non-selective school, meaning there is no formal entrance exam like the 11-plus. Admission is based on a taster day and an informal interview with the Headteacher to ensure that the school can meet the child's needs.
For families considering Year 7 entry, the process is handled directly by the school rather than through the Liverpool Local Authority coordinated scheme. Because the school is often at capacity in certain year groups, early enquiry is recommended. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to view the school's location relative to transport links in the Aigburth area.
The school has a rolling admissions policy, allowing children to join mid-year if a space is available. This makes it a popular choice for families relocating to Liverpool who may have missed the standard January application deadlines.
Pastoral care is the school's strongest selling point. Because the staff-to-pupil ratio is high, slipping through the cracks is nearly impossible. Every student has a form tutor who acts as the primary point of contact for parents.
The school operates a house system, which fosters a sense of healthy competition and belonging. Peer mentoring is also encouraged, with older students trained to support younger ones during break times. The recent Ofsted inspection noted that pupils behave exceptionally well and act responsibly, with strong relationships between pupils and staff helping them to feel secure.
The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:30pm for the main school. One of Auckland's most practical features for working parents is its extensive wraparound care. An early bird club starts at 7:30am, and the After School Fun Club runs until 6:00pm, providing a structured environment for homework and play.
The school is well-served by public transport. St Michaels and Aigburth stations are both within walking distance, providing direct links to Liverpool Central and Southport. There is limited on-site parking, so most parents use the surrounding residential streets for drop-off and pick-up.
Auckland College is a refreshingly unpretentious independent school that puts the child's happiness and social development on equal footing with academic achievement. It is an ideal fit for families in South Liverpool who want the benefits of an independent education, small classes, and strong pastoral care, without the high-pressure entry requirements of a grammar or elite private school. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature on FindMySchool to manage their shortlist.
Yes, particularly for families seeking a nurturing and inclusive environment. The school was rated Good by Ofsted in March 2024, with its Behaviour and Attitudes judged as Outstanding. While GCSE results are lower than the England average, the school provides exceptional individual support and maintains a strong community atmosphere.
For the 2025/2026 academic year, Senior fees are £3,000 per term (£9,000 annually) and Prep fees are £2,400 per term (£7,200 annually). A 10% discount is available for annual upfront payments. Note that these figures are exclusive of VAT.
No, Auckland College is non-selective. Admission is based on a taster day where the child joins a class and an informal interview with the Headteacher to ensure a good fit.
No, Auckland College caters for students up to Year 11 (age 16). Students typically move on to local sixth form colleges such as Carmel College or Liverpool Blue Coat for their A-levels.
Yes, the school offers an early bird club from 7:30am and an after-school club until 6:00pm, which is highly valued by working parents in the Aigburth area.
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