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Local authority · North West

Schools in Cheshire West and Chester

  • 162State-funded schools
  • 130Primary
  • 20Secondary
  • 10Special
  • North WestRegion
Applications per placeCircle size: applications
First choice · secondary 2026
95%
11 pts above England (84%)
3,482 families applied
First choice · primary 2026
92%
close to England (92%)
3,274 families applied
Applications per place · secondary
2.0
0.2 below England median (2.2)
Median school
New Ofsted report cards
33of 162 schools
Results by area

How hard is it to get a place here?

DfE · families living in Cheshire West and Chester
Secondary (Year 7) · Sept 2026
95%got their first choice
11 pts above England (84%)

3,482 applicants · 1.1% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 95%; England 84%
  2. 2025 95%; England 84%
  3. 2024 94%; England 83%
  4. 2023 93%; England 83%
  5. 2022 93%; England 83%
  6. 2021 92%; England 81%
  7. 2020 94%; England 82%
  8. 2019 90%; England 81%
  9. 2018 88%; England 82%
  10. 2017 94%; England 83%
  11. 2016 90%; England 84%
  12. 2015 92%; England 84%
  13. 2014 95%; England 85%
  • Cheshire West and Chester
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 20263,48295.0%98.9%1.1%
Sep 20253,61595.0%99.4%0.6%
Sep 20243,61694.5%98.9%1.1%
Sep 20233,75293.0%98.0%2.0%
Sep 20223,87092.5%97.8%2.2%
Sep 20213,70991.7%97.6%2.4%
Sep 20203,56194.4%99.0%1.0%
Sep 20193,67290.3%97.6%2.4%
Sep 20183,58988.4%95.5%4.5%
Sep 20173,42493.7%98.3%1.7%
Sep 20163,39190.4%96.8%3.2%
Sep 20153,25292.2%98.2%1.8%
Sep 20143,06394.9%99.3%0.7%
Primary (Reception) · Sept 2026
92%got their first choice
close to England (92%)

3,274 applicants · 1.5% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 92%; England 92%
  2. 2025 92%; England 93%
  3. 2024 94%; England 93%
  4. 2023 93%; England 92%
  5. 2022 93%; England 92%
  6. 2021 91%; England 92%
  7. 2020 91%; England 90%
  8. 2019 91%; England 91%
  9. 2018 91%; England 91%
  10. 2017 92%; England 90%
  11. 2016 91%; England 88%
  12. 2015 92%; England 88%
  13. 2014 92%; England 88%
  • Cheshire West and Chester
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 20263,27492.3%98.5%1.5%
Sep 20253,18992.5%98.7%1.3%
Sep 20243,22194.4%99.1%0.9%
Sep 20233,32693.2%99.1%0.9%
Sep 20223,36393.0%98.8%1.2%
Sep 20213,45791.3%98.1%1.9%
Sep 20203,66091.0%97.8%2.2%
Sep 20193,55590.7%97.8%2.2%
Sep 20183,51491.1%98.1%1.9%
Sep 20173,53991.8%98.0%2.0%
Sep 20163,74890.6%98.2%1.8%
Sep 20153,69192.4%98.6%1.4%
Sep 20143,46791.8%98.2%1.8%

What has Ofsted found here?

Ofsted data to 30 September 2026

Report cards 33 schools of 162 · since November 2025

  • Inclusion
  • Curriculum and teaching
  • Achievement
  • Attendance and behaviour
  • Personal development and wellbeing
  • Early years (24)
  • Post-16 provision (7)
  • Leadership and governance

Bar: share of schools; number of schools at each grade below.

Overall grade from Ofsted's previous framework 103 schools · graded 2011 to 2024

  • Outstanding15
  • Good85
  • Requires improvement1
  • Inadequate1
  • Grade not in Ofsted's data1

Includes grades confirmed by a later ungraded inspection. Not comparable with report cards.

Graded 2024/25, no overall grade 19 schools

Key judgementOutstandingGoodRequires improvementInadequate
Quality of education11611
Behaviour and attitudes99–1
Personal development7111–
Leadership and management5122–

Not yet inspected (new or reorganised schools): 7.

Latest report cards

Every new report card, month by month · RSS for Cheshire West and Chester

Secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester

20 schools · Year 7 entry 2026

Change the order (visual only)

Sorted by applications per place for September 2026 entry, highest first.

Sorted by Attainment 8, highest first.

Sorted by the date of the latest Ofsted inspection, newest first.

Sorted by name.

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS4 results, Ofsted.
SchoolLatest OfstedApplications per placeAttainment 8FSM
The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School Faith Standards maintained2025 3.0 applications per place 53.7 17%
Christleton High School Good2024 3.0 applications per place 52.4 10%
The Catholic High School, Chester Faith 2026 2.8 applications per place 44.1 23%
Hartford Church of England High School Faith Good2023 2.5 applications per place 49.7 17%
The County High School, Leftwich 2026 2.3 applications per place 50.1 16%
St Nicholas Catholic High School Faith Good2024 2.2 applications per place 49.7 14%
Ellesmere Port Catholic High School, a Voluntary Academy Faith 2026 2.1 applications per place 36.2 35%
Neston High School 2026 2.1 applications per place 46.2 18%
Weaverham High School 2026 2.1 applications per place 53.5 20%
Upton-by-Chester High School Standards maintained2025 2.0 applications per place 54.6 16%
Queen's Park High School Graded · no overall grade2025 2.0 applications per place 48.6 28%
The Whitby High School 2026 1.9 applications per place 39.0 27%
Tarporley High School and Sixth Form College Good2023 1.8 applications per place 57.5 12%
Ellesmere Port Church of England College Faith Good2023 1.6 applications per place 36.9 44%
The Rudheath Senior Academy Remains Good2023 1.4 applications per place 32.2 36%
Helsby High School Remains Good2023 1.4 applications per place 46.6 17%
Bishop Heber High School 2026 1.4 applications per place 54.6 14%
Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College 2026 1.3 applications per place 30.3 49%
The Winsford Academy Serious weaknesses Graded · no overall grade2025 1.1 applications per place 32.0 43%
Chester International School Good2022 no data 38.5 34%

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS4 results, Ofsted. FSM: free school meals.

  • Exceptional
  • Strong standard
  • Expected standard
  • Needs attention
  • Urgent improvement
  • Does not apply

Eight dots, one per area: inclusion, curriculum, achievement, attendance, personal development, early years, post-16, leadership. Colours follow Ofsted's report card scale; Schoolfile is independent of Ofsted.

Primary schools in Cheshire West and Chester

130 schools · Reception entry 2026

Sorted by applications per place for September 2026 entry, highest first.

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS2 results, Ofsted.
SchoolLatest OfstedApplications per placeSATs standardFSM
Clutton Church of England Primary School Faith 2026 12.0small intake applications per place – 18%
Crowton Christ Church CofE Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 5.5small intake applications per place 43% 8%
Neston Primary School 2025 4.8small intake applications per place 50% 36%
Mill View Primary School Outstanding2024 4.7 applications per place 90% 7%
Childer Thornton Primary School Outstanding2024 4.6 applications per place 77% 10%
St Martin's Academy Chester Graded · no overall grade2024 4.3 applications per place 96% 5%
Byley Primary School and Nursery Good2023 3.9small intake applications per place 60% 11%
Shocklach Oviatt CofE Primary School Faith Some aspects not as strong2025 3.8small intake applications per place 0% 4%
Delamere CofE Primary Academy Faith Outstanding2023 3.7 applications per place 96% 3%
Christleton Primary School Graded · no overall grade2024 3.5 applications per place 53% 4%
Eccleston CofE Primary School Faith Requires significant improvement 2026 3.5small intake applications per place 47% 8%
Waverton Community Primary School 2026 3.4 applications per place 77% 3%
Belgrave Primary School Good2023 3.3 applications per place 87% 7%
St Luke's Catholic Primary School Faith Good2024 3.3small intake applications per place 43% 27%
Great Budworth CofE Primary School Faith Special measures 2026 3.1small intake applications per place 33% 3%
Capenhurst CofE Primary School Faith Good2022 3.1 applications per place – 13%
Cherry Grove Primary School Standards maintained2025 3.1 applications per place 61% 16%
Ashton Hayes Primary School Remains Good2022 2.9 applications per place 44% 2%
Little Sutton C of E Primary School Faith Good2024 2.9 applications per place 50% 13%
Guilden Sutton CofE Primary School Faith Remains Outstanding2024 2.9 applications per place 84% 2%
Huxley CofE Primary School Faith Special measures Inadequate2022 2.9small intake applications per place 33% 21%
Acresfield Academy Outstanding2024 2.9 applications per place 75% 7%
Kingsmead Primary School Good2024 2.8 applications per place 66% 7%
Alvanley and Manley Village School Good2023 2.8small intake applications per place 50% 10%
Kelsall Primary and Nursery School Outstanding2024 2.8 applications per place 68% 6%
Saighton Church of England Primary School & Pre-School Faith 2026 2.8small intake applications per place 69% 4%
Comberbach Nursery and Primary School Improved significantly2024 2.8 applications per place 83% 6%
Over St John's CofE Primary School Faith Remains Good2024 2.8 applications per place 71% 39%
Hartford Primary School Good2021 2.7 applications per place 73% 7%
Wolverham Primary and Nursery School 2026 2.7 applications per place 71% 40%
Frodsham Manor House Primary School Remains Good2024 2.6 applications per place 81% 13%
Meadow Primary School 2025 2.6 applications per place – 6%
Cambridge Road Community Primary and Nursery School Good2023 2.6 applications per place 53% 29%
Grange Community Nursery and Primary School Good2023 2.6 applications per place 63% 50%
Eaton Primary School Good2023 2.5 applications per place 72% 6%
Wimboldsley Community Primary School 2026 2.5 applications per place 52% 8%
Sandiway Primary School Graded · no overall grade2025 2.5 applications per place 68% 3%
Antrobus St Mark's CofE Primary School Faith 2026 2.5small intake applications per place 67% 9%
Highfield Community Primary School 2026 2.5 applications per place 50% 24%
Davenham CofE Primary School Faith Good2024 2.5 applications per place – 6%
Hartford Manor Primary School & Nursery Good2023 2.5 applications per place 77% 6%
Little Leigh Primary School Good2023 2.5 applications per place 67% 13%
St Werburgh's and St Columba's Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good · improving2024 2.5 applications per place 84% 8%
Lower Peover CofE Primary School Faith Outstanding2024 2.5 applications per place – 9%
Oldfield Primary School Remains Good · concerns noted2023 2.4 applications per place – 5%
Frodsham CofE Primary School Faith Standards maintained2025 2.4 applications per place 67% 4%
Whitley Village School Graded · no overall grade2024 2.4small intake applications per place 80% 7%
Dodleston CofE Primary School Faith Not yet inspected 2.3small intake applications per place 60% 12%
Duddon St Peter's CofE Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 2.3small intake applications per place 54% 12%
Willaston CofE Primary School Faith Outstanding2024 2.3 applications per place 67% 2%
Kingsley Community Primary School and Nursery Remains Good2023 2.3 applications per place 68% 8%
Whitby Heath Primary School Graded · no overall grade2025 2.3 applications per place 52% 11%
Aston by Sutton Primary School Good2024 2.3 applications per place 56% 12%
Brookside Primary School Remains Good2023 2.3 applications per place 50% 41%
Cuddington Primary School Remains Good2023 2.3 applications per place 58% 10%
Tushingham With Grindley CofE Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 2.3 applications per place 73% 9%
Ellesmere Port Christ Church CofE Primary School Faith Remains Good2022 2.3 applications per place 41% 24%
Moulton School Remains Good2022 2.3 applications per place 64% 24%
Norley Church of England Primary School Faith Good2019 2.3small intake applications per place 73% 11%
Newton Primary School 2026 2.2 applications per place 53% 15%
Boughton Heath Academy Outstanding2024 2.2 applications per place 88% 5%
Hoole Church of England Primary School Faith Improved significantly2025 2.2 applications per place – 12%
Overleigh St Mary's Church of England Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 2.2 applications per place – 13%
Charles Darwin Community Primary School 2026 2.2 applications per place 75% 25%
Whitegate CofE Primary School Faith Standards maintained2024 2.2 applications per place 64% 9%
Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Faith Good2022 2.2 applications per place 62% 24%
Bishop Wilson Church of England Primary School Faith 2026 2.2small intake applications per place 73% 5%
Parkgate Primary School Remains Good2024 2.1 applications per place 81% 10%
The Grosvenor Park Church of England Academy Faith Good2023 2.1 applications per place 63% 11%
Helsby Hillside Primary School 2026 2.1 applications per place 68% 9%
St Oswald's CofE Primary School Faith 2026 2.1 applications per place 78% 10%
Rudheath Primary Academy and Nursery Graded · no overall grade2024 2.1 applications per place 55% 24%
Tarporley CofE Primary School Faith Remains Good2024 2.0 applications per place 71% 9%
Darnhall Primary School Good2023 2.0 applications per place 49% 39%
Rivacre Valley Primary School Good2022 2.0 applications per place 58% 30%
Horn's Mill Primary School Good2024 2.0 applications per place 64% 16%
Wharton CofE Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 2.0 applications per place 37% 30%
Lostock Gralam CofE Primary School Faith Remains Good2022 2.0 applications per place – 21%
St Winefride's Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2024 2.0 applications per place 67% 21%
Woodlands Primary School Good2023 1.9 applications per place 49% 18%
Over Hall Community School Good2024 1.9 applications per place 38% 58%
Sutton Green Primary School Good2024 1.9 applications per place 48% 17%
Winnington Park Community Primary and Nursery School 2026 1.9 applications per place 56% 14%
Witton Church Walk CofE Aided Nursery and Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 1.9 applications per place 35% 33%
Winsford High Street Community Primary School Remains Good2023 1.9 applications per place 46% 30%
Leftwich Community Primary School Good2024 1.9 applications per place 56% 35%
Mickle Trafford Village School Good2023 1.9 applications per place 72% 12%
Upton Heath CofE Primary School Faith Good2024 1.9 applications per place 52% 12%
St Bede's Catholic Primary School, Weaverham Faith Good2023 1.9 applications per place 73% 6%
St. Chad's Church of England Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 1.9 applications per place 61% 29%
J H Godwin Primary School 2026 1.9 applications per place 32% 45%
The Arches Community Primary School Good2023 1.9 applications per place 65% 55%
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Faith Not yet inspected 1.8 applications per place 50% 27%
Tarvin Primary School Remains Good2023 1.8 applications per place 82% 4%
Woodfall Primary and Nursery School Graded · no overall grade2025 1.8 applications per place 79% 12%
Weaverham Forest Primary School 2026 1.8 applications per place 35% 17%
Westminster Community Primary School Good2024 1.8 applications per place 61% 54%
Wincham Community Primary School Good2023 1.7 applications per place 64% 7%
St Wilfrid's Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2022 1.7 applications per place 62% 11%
Huntington Community Primary School Good2023 1.7 applications per place 63% 7%
Dee Point Primary School 2026 1.7 applications per place 40% 47%
Rossmore School Remains Good2022 1.6 applications per place 53% 23%
Lache Primary School Good2024 1.6 applications per place – 52%
St Bernard's Roman Catholic Primary & Nursery School Faith Standards maintained2025 1.6 applications per place 61% 37%
Weaverham Primary Academy Good2023 1.6 applications per place 38% 35%
Barnton Community Nursery and Primary School Outstanding2023 1.6 applications per place 82% 18%
Parklands Community Primary and Nursery School Good2022 1.6 applications per place 63% 51%
The Acorns Primary and Nursery School Standards maintained2025 1.6 applications per place 56% 49%
Victoria Road Primary School Good2024 1.6 applications per place 77% 29%
The Oak View Academy Good2024 1.5 applications per place 71% 46%
Malpas Alport Endowed Primary School 2025 1.5 applications per place 58% 21%
St Theresa's Catholic Primary School Faith Good2024 1.5 applications per place 48% 36%
Chester Blue Coat Church of England Primary School Faith Good2023 1.5 applications per place 61% 12%
Saughall All Saints Church of England Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 1.5 applications per place 66% 8%
William Stockton Community Primary School Not yet inspected 1.4 applications per place 63% 40%
Farndon Primary School Graded · no overall grade2025 1.4 applications per place 50% 12%
Tattenhall Park Primary School Good2024 1.4 applications per place 72% 7%
The Oaks Community Primary School Requires improvement2024 1.4 applications per place 39% 48%
Barrow CofE Primary School Faith Special measures 2026 1.3small intake applications per place 33% 17%
St Clare's Catholic Primary School Faith Standards maintained2024 1.3 applications per place 50% 33%
Willow Wood Community Nursery and Primary School Good2023 1.3 applications per place 35% 50%
Elton Primary School Good2023 1.2 applications per place 74% 18%
Frodsham Primary Academy Graded · no overall grade2025 1.2small intake applications per place 77% 46%
Kings Moat Community Primary School Not yet inspected no data – –
Kingsley St John's CofE Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 no data – –
Sir John Deane's Sixth Form College Not yet inspected no data – 0%
St Mary of The Angels Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy Faith Not yet inspected no data – –
St Saviour's Catholic Primary and Nursery School, A Voluntary Academy Faith Not yet inspected no data – –
Tilston Parochial CofE Primary Academy Faith Remains Good2022 no data – –
Upton Westlea Primary School 2026 no data – –

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS2 results, Ofsted. FSM: free school meals.

Special schools and other provision

12 schools