About Us

Everton Free School is a pioneering Alternative Provision Free School, established September 2012. It was the first of its kind in the UK, created to provide a high-quality, supportive education for young people who require an alternative to mainstream schooling. Since opening, the school has become a highly respected and in-demand provision for schools and local authorities across Merseyside and beyond.

Our mission is to re-engage students in learning, build confidence, and prepare them for meaningful futures. We provide tailored programmes, small class sizes, and expert pastoral support to ensure each pupil can thrive academically, socially, and personally.

Exceptional Learning and Support

At Everton Free School, every student follows a personalised learning pathway, combining core academic study with vocational and enrichment opportunities. Students benefit from:

Highly skilled, fully qualified teaching staff who support and challenge learners
Small class sizes that allow for tailored teaching and intensive support
Strong pastoral care and wellbeing programmes
Opportunities to develop practical skills, work experience, and volunteering, including through Everton in the Community

Our provision is designed to re-engage students who may have struggled in mainstream settings, helping them achieve qualifications, develop life skills, and progress to employment, further education, or training.

Sixth Form – Everton Football College

Our sixth-form provision, Everton Football College, serves around 200 students and builds on the school’s ethos of personalised, high-quality learning. Students access a range of academic pathways and enrichment opportunities, including sport development qualifications, coaching awards, and meaningful work experience locally and internationally. This unique approach is enhanced by strong links to the Everton Family, providing experiences not available elsewhere.

The College has successfully delivered the Sport Development and Coaching Foundation Degree in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) for five years, and in 2023 introduced a Level 6 top-up BSc (Hons) Sport Development and Coaching, reflecting the programme’s impact and quality.

Recognition and Achievements

Everton Free School’s focus on Alternative Provision excellence has been formally recognised by Ofsted. In April 2024, the school was judged Outstanding in all five categories: Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, Leadership and Management, and Sixth Form provision. This builds on previous Good judgements in 2014 and 2018 and highlights the school’s consistent improvement and outstanding outcomes for students who benefit from alternative provision.

Strategic Development

In April 2024, Everton Free School and Everton Football College transitioned from a single-academy trust to a multi-academy trust, forming The People’s Learning Trust. Everton Football Club is proud to be the only Premier League club leading a multi-academy trust dedicated to providing exceptional alternative provision and life-changing opportunities for children and young people across Merseyside.

About Everton Free School

Everton Free School is an Alternative Provision Free School committed to supporting young people who require an educational setting different from mainstream provision.

Our approach is centred on:

High-quality teaching and personalised learning pathways
Strong pastoral care, safeguarding, and wellbeing support
Re-engagement with education, attendance, and positive behaviour
Preparation for meaningful next steps, including further education, employment, or training

All students follow an individualised programme designed around their academic needs, personal development, and future aspirations.

Our Premises and Learning Environment

Everton Free School operates from safe, secure, and appropriately supervised premises designed to meet the needs of alternative provision learners.

Our facilities include:

Well-resourced classrooms for core and vocational learning
Dedicated pastoral and wellbeing spaces
Areas that support physical activity, engagement, and regulation
Secure entry procedures and safeguarding-led visitor management

To maintain safeguarding and minimise disruption to learning, all visits must be arranged in advance through the appropriate referral route.

Admissions and Placement Arrangements

Referral-Led Admissions

Everton Free School is not a direct-entry school, and parents or carers cannot apply for a place independently.

All placements must be made through:

Your child’s current school (the home school), or
The Local Authority, where a pupil is not currently on roll.

Funding of Placements

Parents and carers do not pay for a place at Everton Free School.

Funding responsibility sits with:

The home school, where a pupil remains on roll elsewhere
The Local Authority, where a pupil is not currently on roll or is placed through statutory processes

Because funding and safeguarding must be agreed formally, placements cannot be discussed or offered without an authorised referral.

What Parents and Carers Should Do First

If you believe Everton Free School may be appropriate for your child, the first step is to speak with the professionals already supporting them.

Contact:

Your child’s Headteacher
SENCo or Pastoral Lead
Local Authority education officer (if your child is not on roll)

They will:

Review your child’s needs and current support
Consider whether alternative provision is appropriate
Complete any required referral and commissioning process
Liaise directly with Everton Free School regarding availability and suitability

Direct Contact from Parents

We understand that parents and carers may wish to learn more about the school.

You are welcome to:

Read our curriculum, safeguarding, and wellbeing information online
Make general enquiries about the provision
Request signposting to the correct referral pathway

However:

Everton Free School cannot offer, confirm, or discuss a placement without a formal referral from a school or Local Authority.

Further Information for Parents and Carers

We understand that choosing an alternative provision can raise many questions. To help families make informed decisions, we have made key information readily available online.

Finally, for more information, please see the FAQs below, which cover additional queries and provide guidance on the referral process, funding, and day-to-day school life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Free Schools?
Free Schools were introduced by the Government to bring greater choice and diversity into the world of education. These opportunities offer Free School proposers greater flexibility with the curriculum, innovative links to employers and new ways to support young people.

What range of students does the school serve?
The age range is 13-19 and mixed gender. Students are referred to Everton Free School at the end of Year 9 or during Year 10 and 11.

How many young people will the school take?
The school has an intake of up to 120 students age 13-16, and up to 200 post 16.

What is the curriculum?
Students follow individually tailored learning programmes with an emphasis on choice and challenge. Each student is given a personalised assessment when they join Everton Free School. This is done in close consultation with the student and their family, supervised directly by the Head of School. The curriculum is integral to the personal and professional development of students and aims to inspire positive attitudes to learning. Work-based learning opportunities and 'authentic learning experiences' are a central feature of the provision. The Free School also works with partners to continue developing innovative curriculum models which maximise student progression and life chances.

What support has Everton Free School received?
Everton Free School has had fantastic support from local authorities, agencies and other schools, colleges and universities. The school is also working closely with industry associates and community partners to develop an exciting curriculum with 'authentic learning' opportunities. To see a list of partners, click here.

Who pays for the Free School?
The set-up of the Free School, including capital and start-up costs, has been agreed with the Department for Education. The cost of each student place is funded by the Education Funding Agency and, in some cases, 'topped-up' by a 'commissioner'. A 'commissioner' is the organisation that needs the place for a student, for instance, a school, academy or local authority.

What is the investment from Everton Football Club?
Everton Football Club supports the Free School with generous 'in kind' investments. The ethos and philosophy of the Club informs our values within the School - teamwork, dedication and commitment. A fantastic relationship with the Club means that the Free School benefits from access to first-team players, resources and facilities as well as support from professionals around the Club.

How can Evertonians support this initiative?
There are many opportunities for Everton fans to be involved, whether that is providing sponsorship, opportunities for employment or mentoring young people. Everton Free School is committed to strong community integration and engaging with Evertonians is important.

Is the school only for Evertonians?
No. Everton Free School welcomes and supports young people irrespective of whether they support Everton Football Club, Liverpool Football Club or have any other sporting allegiance.