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Local authority · North West

Schools in Sefton

  • 103State-funded schools
  • 74Primary
  • 18Secondary
  • 6Special
  • North WestRegion
Applications per placeCircle size: applications
First choice · secondary 2026
89%
5 pts above England (84%)
2,791 families applied
First choice · primary 2026
91%
close to England (92%)
2,586 families applied
Applications per place · secondary
2.3
close to England median (2.2)
Median school
New Ofsted report cards
18of 103 schools
Results by area

How hard is it to get a place here?

DfE · families living in Sefton
Secondary (Year 7) · Sept 2026
89%got their first choice
5 pts above England (84%)

2,791 applicants · 2.7% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 89%; England 84%
  2. 2025 85%; England 84%
  3. 2024 89%; England 83%
  4. 2023 84%; England 83%
  5. 2022 85%; England 83%
  6. 2021 89%; England 81%
  7. 2020 85%; England 82%
  8. 2019 87%; England 81%
  9. 2018 86%; England 82%
  10. 2017 91%; England 83%
  11. 2016 92%; England 84%
  12. 2015 92%; England 84%
  13. 2014 95%; England 85%
  • Sefton
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 20262,79189.0%97.3%2.7%
Sep 20252,94085.0%95.8%4.2%
Sep 20242,79188.6%97.8%2.2%
Sep 20232,91684.2%94.9%5.1%
Sep 20222,93285.1%95.7%4.3%
Sep 20212,82388.6%97.3%2.7%
Sep 20202,82285.0%96.9%3.1%
Sep 20192,81286.6%97.3%2.7%
Sep 20182,76486.1%97.1%2.9%
Sep 20172,70090.9%97.6%2.4%
Sep 20162,62392.2%98.9%1.1%
Sep 20152,67992.2%97.6%2.4%
Sep 20142,65695.1%98.8%1.2%
Primary (Reception) · Sept 2026
91%got their first choice
close to England (92%)

2,586 applicants · 1.4% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 91%; England 92%
  2. 2025 93%; England 93%
  3. 2024 94%; England 93%
  4. 2023 90%; England 92%
  5. 2022 94%; England 92%
  6. 2021 92%; England 92%
  7. 2020 89%; England 90%
  8. 2019 94%; England 91%
  9. 2018 89%; England 91%
  10. 2017 91%; England 90%
  11. 2016 92%; England 88%
  12. 2015 89%; England 88%
  13. 2014 90%; England 88%
  • Sefton
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 20262,58691.4%98.6%1.4%
Sep 20252,53692.8%98.5%1.5%
Sep 20242,55793.8%98.7%1.3%
Sep 20232,71989.8%97.2%2.8%
Sep 20222,60693.7%98.7%1.3%
Sep 20212,71392.4%98.5%1.5%
Sep 20202,82289.2%96.4%3.6%
Sep 20192,77693.7%98.9%1.1%
Sep 20182,91988.6%96.7%3.3%
Sep 20172,86291.4%97.6%2.4%
Sep 20162,83591.7%98.0%2.0%
Sep 20152,92889.5%96.7%3.3%
Sep 20142,78589.9%97.3%2.7%

What has Ofsted found here?

Ofsted data to 30 September 2026

Report cards 18 schools of 103 · since November 2025

  • Inclusion
  • Curriculum and teaching
  • Achievement
  • Attendance and behaviour
  • Personal development and wellbeing
  • Early years (10)
  • Post-16 provision (4)
  • Leadership and governance

One dot per school.

Overall grade from Ofsted's previous framework 76 schools · graded 2011 to 2024

  • Outstanding8
  • Good64
  • Requires improvement2
  • Inadequate2

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

Graded 2024/25, no overall grade 8 schools

Key judgementOutstandingGoodRequires improvementInadequate
Quality of education–35–
Behaviour and attitudes–62–
Personal development–62–
Leadership and management–35–

Not yet inspected (new or reorganised schools): 1.

Latest report cards

Every new report card, month by month · RSS for Sefton

Secondary schools in Sefton

18 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
Holy Family Catholic High School Faith Standards maintained2024 4.2 applications per place 45.2 27%
Maghull High School 2026 3.1 applications per place 38.4 21%
Hillside High School Good2023 3.0 applications per place 39.1 57%
Meols Cop High School 2026 2.8 applications per place 42.9 33%
Christ The King Catholic High School and Sixth Form Centre Faith Good2023 2.6 applications per place 42.8 32%
Formby High School Good2022 2.5 applications per place 51.5 15%
Deyes High School Graded · no overall grade2024 2.4 applications per place 44.1 17%
Range High School 2026 2.4 applications per place 50.2 15%
Maricourt Catholic High School Faith 2026 2.3 applications per place 44.6 23%
Chesterfield High School Remains Good2023 2.3 applications per place 48.0 26%
Sacred Heart Catholic Academy Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 1.9 applications per place 44.9 37%
Litherland High School Good2024 1.9 applications per place 37.2 52%
The Salesian Academy of St John Bosco Faith Special measures 2026 1.9 applications per place 34.2 53%
Greenbank High School Good2022 1.7 applications per place 49.9 21%
Stanley High School Graded · no overall grade2025 1.7 applications per place 40.8 27%
Birkdale High School 2026 1.7 applications per place 51.7 22%
St Michaels Church of England Academy Faith Special measures Inadequate2024 1.7 applications per place 39.6 43%
King's Leadership Academy Hawthornes Good2023 1.4 applications per place 35.7 62%

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 Sefton

74 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
Valewood Primary School Remains Good2023 5.6 applications per place 70% 9%
Freshfield Primary School Outstanding2024 4.6 applications per place 69% 9%
St Robert Bellarmine Catholic Primary School Faith Outstanding2024 4.2 applications per place 90% 15%
Summerhill Primary School Remains Good2023 3.5 applications per place 76% 13%
St Luke's Halsall Church of England Primary School Faith Remains Good2024 3.5 applications per place 69% 14%
Larkfield Primary School Good2023 3.5 applications per place 56% 20%
St Philip's Church of England Controlled Primary School Faith 2026 3.4 applications per place 41% 25%
St Nicholas Church of England Primary School Faith Good2024 3.2 applications per place 68% 6%
Linacre Primary School Special measures 2026 3.0 applications per place 17% 65%
St Andrews Church of England Primary School, Maghull Faith Remains Good2022 2.9 applications per place 63% 20%
Birkdale Primary School Remains Good2024 2.9 applications per place 30% 23%
Green Park Primary School Standards maintained2024 2.9 applications per place 52% 5%
St Luke's Church of England Primary School Faith Good2024 2.9 applications per place 49% 12%
Lydiate Primary School Remains Good2024 2.8 applications per place 47% 17%
Melling Primary School Remains Good2023 2.7 applications per place 59% 12%
Marshside Primary School Good2023 2.7 applications per place 56% 28%
Ainsdale St John's Church of England Primary School Faith 2026 2.7 applications per place 47% 15%
St John Bosco Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2022 2.6 applications per place 63% 8%
St Mary's Catholic Primary School Faith Good2024 2.6 applications per place 69% 23%
Forefield Community Infant and Nursery School Good2023 2.5 applications per place – 10%
St Thomas Church of England Primary School, Lydiate Faith Outstanding2024 2.5 applications per place 86% 7%
Northway Primary School Remains Good2023 2.5 applications per place 72% 12%
Our Lady of Compassion Catholic Primary School Faith Standards maintained2025 2.4 applications per place 82% 10%
Shoreside Primary School Good2023 2.4 applications per place 79% 16%
St Philip's Church of England Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 2.4 applications per place 80% 20%
St Gregory's Catholic Primary School Faith 2025 2.4 applications per place 79% 4%
King's Lander Primary Academy Remains Good2023 2.3 applications per place 60% 49%
Trinity St Peter's CofE Primary School Faith Outstanding2024 2.3 applications per place – 6%
Ursuline Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2024 2.3 applications per place 56% 8%
Aintree Davenhill Primary School Remains Good2023 2.3 applications per place 73% 14%
Woodlands Primary School 2026 2.3 applications per place 62% 11%
St John's Church of England Primary School Faith 2026 2.3 applications per place 62% 30%
St Patrick's Catholic Primary School Faith Good2024 2.3 applications per place 61% 15%
Holy Family Catholic Primary School Faith Good2024 2.2 applications per place 43% 19%
St George's Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 2.2 applications per place 56% 8%
Litherland Moss Primary School Remains Good2023 2.2 applications per place 80% 52%
St John's Church of England Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 2.2 applications per place 63% 21%
Hudson Primary School Good2023 2.2 applications per place 59% 21%
St Edmund's and St Thomas' Catholic Primary School Faith Good2023 2.2 applications per place 63% 21%
Thomas Gray Primary School Good2022 2.1 applications per place – 69%
St Oswald's Church of England Primary School Faith Good2022 2.1 applications per place 77% 42%
Norwood Primary School Remains Good2022 2.1 applications per place 55% 19%
The Grange Primary School Good2023 2.1 applications per place 28% 50%
English Martyrs' Catholic Primary School Faith Improved significantly2024 2.0 applications per place 62% 17%
Churchtown Primary School Good2023 2.0 applications per place 55% 14%
Kings Meadow Primary School and Early Years Education Centre Good2024 2.0 applications per place 81% 39%
Linaker Primary School Requires improvement2023 2.0 applications per place – 36%
Hatton Hill Primary School Good2022 2.0 applications per place 60% 46%
Great Crosby Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 2.0 applications per place 53% 10%
St Jerome's Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 2.0 applications per place 56% 6%
All Saints Catholic Primary School Faith 2026 1.9 applications per place 52% 47%
Holy Spirit Catholic Academy Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 1.9 applications per place 48% 67%
Holy Rosary Catholic Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 1.9 applications per place 55% 11%
Kew Woods Primary School Remains Good2023 1.9 applications per place 79% 25%
Netherton Moss Primary School Graded · no overall grade2025 1.9 applications per place 53% 59%
Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Primary School Faith 2026 1.9 applications per place 29% 59%
St Benedict's Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 1.9 applications per place 64% 18%
St Monica's Catholic Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 1.9 applications per place 53% 23%
Waterloo Primary School Remains Good2022 1.8 applications per place 53% 33%
Christ Church Church of England Controlled Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 1.8 applications per place 39% 51%
St William of York Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2024 1.8 applications per place 57% 48%
Farnborough Road Infant School Remains Good2023 1.6 applications per place – 9%
Bishop David Sheppard Church of England Primary School Faith Good2023 1.6 applications per place 42% 46%
Springwell Park Community Primary School Good2024 1.6 applications per place 29% 47%
Our Lady of Walsingham Primary School Faith Requires improvement2022 1.6 applications per place 32% 49%
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School Faith Not yet inspected 1.6 applications per place 58% 24%
Rimrose Hope CofE Primary School Faith Outstanding2023 1.5 applications per place 73% 55%
Bedford Primary School 2026 1.4 applications per place 38% 53%
St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 1.4 applications per place 52% 50%
Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Southport Faith 2026 1.4 applications per place 61% 23%
Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Faith Good2024 1.4 applications per place 44% 71%
Redgate Community Primary School Remains Good2023 1.3 applications per place 65% 31%
Farnborough Road Junior School Remains Good2024 no data 68% 17%
Forefield Junior School Remains Good2021 no data 76% 17%

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

Special schools and other provision

11 schools