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Local authority · North West

Schools in St. Helens

  • 70State-funded schools
  • 54Primary
  • 9Secondary
  • 4Special
  • North WestRegion
Applications per placeCircle size: applications
First choice · secondary 2026
93%
10 pts above England (84%)
1,849 families applied
First choice · primary 2026
90%
2 pts below England (92%)
1,809 families applied
Applications per place · secondary
2.1
close to England median (2.2)
Median school
New Ofsted report cards
18of 70 schools
Results by area

How hard is it to get a place here?

DfE · families living in St. Helens
Secondary (Year 7) · Sept 2026
93%got their first choice
10 pts above England (84%)

1,849 applicants · 1.6% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 93%; England 84%
  2. 2025 97%; England 84%
  3. 2024 96%; England 83%
  4. 2023 91%; England 83%
  5. 2022 91%; England 83%
  6. 2021 96%; England 81%
  7. 2020 95%; England 82%
  8. 2019 91%; England 81%
  9. 2018 96%; England 82%
  10. 2017 96%; England 83%
  11. 2016 94%; England 84%
  12. 2015 96%; England 84%
  13. 2014 96%; England 85%
  • St. Helens
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 20261,84993.3%98.4%1.6%
Sep 20251,87996.9%99.5%0.5%
Sep 20242,00895.6%99.2%0.8%
Sep 20232,10890.7%97.1%2.9%
Sep 20222,03691.2%97.5%2.5%
Sep 20212,02196.4%99.0%1.0%
Sep 20202,00495.4%98.8%1.2%
Sep 20192,13190.8%96.6%3.4%
Sep 20181,92896.3%99.0%1.0%
Sep 20171,97096.5%99.3%0.7%
Sep 20161,88294.0%98.7%1.3%
Sep 20151,90095.6%99.1%0.9%
Sep 20141,84395.8%98.8%1.2%
Primary (Reception) · Sept 2026
90%got their first choice
2 pts below England (92%)

1,809 applicants · 2.3% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 90%; England 92%
  2. 2025 94%; England 93%
  3. 2024 94%; England 93%
  4. 2023 95%; England 92%
  5. 2022 94%; England 92%
  6. 2021 92%; England 92%
  7. 2020 90%; England 90%
  8. 2019 92%; England 91%
  9. 2018 93%; England 91%
  10. 2017 89%; England 90%
  11. 2016 90%; England 88%
  12. 2015 91%; England 88%
  13. 2014 89%; England 88%
  • St. Helens
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 20261,80990.3%97.7%2.3%
Sep 20251,72693.9%99.2%0.8%
Sep 20241,79593.9%98.1%1.8%
Sep 20231,85194.6%98.6%1.4%
Sep 20221,84893.8%98.6%1.4%
Sep 20211,95792.0%97.2%2.8%
Sep 20201,97390.4%97.5%2.5%
Sep 20191,96992.4%98.1%1.9%
Sep 20181,98392.7%98.2%1.8%
Sep 20172,06689.2%97.0%3.0%
Sep 20162,07789.6%97.4%2.6%
Sep 20152,02190.5%96.9%3.1%
Sep 20142,03188.6%96.3%3.7%

What has Ofsted found here?

Ofsted data to 30 September 2026

Report cards 18 schools of 70 · since November 2025

  • Inclusion
  • Curriculum and teaching
  • Achievement
  • Attendance and behaviour
  • Personal development and wellbeing
  • Early years (12)
  • Post-16 provision (3)
  • Leadership and governance

One dot per school.

Overall grade from Ofsted's previous framework 37 schools · graded 2012 to 2024

  • Outstanding3
  • Good29
  • Requires improvement5
  • Inadequate0

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

Graded 2024/25, no overall grade 15 schools

Key judgementOutstandingGoodRequires improvementInadequate
Quality of education2112–
Behaviour and attitudes4101–
Personal development4101–
Leadership and management3111–

Latest report cards

Every new report card, month by month · RSS for St. Helens

Secondary schools in St. Helens

9 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
De La Salle School Faith Requires improvement2023 2.4 applications per place 43.2 25%
Rainford High School 2026 2.4 applications per place 50.2 16%
St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Academy Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 2.3 applications per place 45.1 50%
Outwood Academy Haydock Graded · no overall grade2024 2.1 applications per place 42.9 39%
The Sutton Academy 2026 2.1 applications per place 45.5 39%
Cowley International College 2026 2.0 applications per place 40.3 38%
Rainhill High School Good2023 1.9 applications per place 50.3 17%
Hope Academy Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 1.6 applications per place 43.9 30%
St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy Faith Remains Good2022 no data – –

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 St. Helens

54 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
Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 3.9small intake applications per place 37% 11%
Eaves Primary School Remains Good2023 3.5 applications per place 79% 22%
Robins Lane Community Primary School Remains Good2024 3.5 applications per place 54% 29%
Willow Tree Primary School Requires improvement2022 3.5small intake applications per place 73% 55%
Eccleston Lane Ends Primary School Graded · no overall grade2024 3.4 applications per place 77% 7%
Rivington Primary School Good2024 3.2 applications per place 59% 30%
St Julie's Catholic Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 3.2 applications per place 77% 6%
Grange Valley Primary School Remains Outstanding2024 3.0 applications per place 71% 14%
St Peter's CofE Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 3.0 applications per place 83% 9%
St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2024 2.9 applications per place 77% 9%
Oakdene Primary Academy Good2024 2.9 applications per place – 9%
St Mary & St Thomas CofE Primary School Faith Standards maintained2025 2.8 applications per place 77% 44%
St Mary's Catholic Primary School Faith Good2023 2.6 applications per place 88% 7%
Ashurst Primary School 2026 2.6 applications per place 57% 28%
St Aidan's CofE Primary School Billinge Faith 2026 2.5 applications per place 82% 19%
St Bartholomew's Catholic Primary School Faith Standards maintained2025 2.5 applications per place 78% 8%
Billinge Chapel End Primary School Good2023 2.4 applications per place 67% 13%
Sherdley Primary School Remains Good2023 2.4 applications per place 54% 18%
Rainford CofE Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 2.4 applications per place 70% 10%
Newton-le-Willows Primary School 2026 2.3 applications per place 58% 20%
Nutgrove Methodist Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 2.3 applications per place 64% 19%
Rectory CofE Primary School Faith 2026 2.3small intake applications per place 27% 41%
Rainford Brook Lodge Community Primary School Remains Good2022 2.2 applications per place 74% 7%
St John Vianney Catholic Primary School Faith 2026 2.2 applications per place 80% 23%
Holy Cross Catholic Primary School Faith 2026 2.2small intake applications per place 44% 35%
St Austin's Catholic Primary School Faith 2026 2.2 applications per place 46% 33%
Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School Faith Standards maintained2024 2.1 applications per place 62% 29%
Bleak Hill Primary School Outstanding2024 2.1 applications per place 65% 8%
Eccleston Mere Primary School 2025 2.1 applications per place 66% 12%
Parish Church of England Primary School, St Helens Faith 2026 2.1 applications per place 63% 29%
St Ann's Church of England Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 2.1 applications per place 75% 10%
Longton Lane Community Primary School Remains Good2024 2.0 applications per place 61% 21%
St. Mary's Blackbrook Catholic Primary School Faith Good2023 2.0 applications per place 53% 30%
Lyme Community Primary School Graded · no overall grade2024 2.0 applications per place 62% 36%
Merton Bank Primary School Requires improvement2024 1.9 applications per place 28% 51%
Allanson Street Primary School Remains Good2024 1.9 applications per place 62% 45%
St Mary's Catholic Infant Academy Faith Requires improvement2022 1.8 applications per place – 13%
St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, Devon Street Faith 2025 1.8 applications per place 60% 37%
Sutton Manor Community Primary School Good2022 1.8 applications per place 47% 43%
St Peter and St Paul Catholic Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 1.7 applications per place 61% 18%
Legh Vale Primary School Graded · no overall grade2024 1.7 applications per place 47% 24%
Queen's Park CofE/Urc Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 1.7 applications per place 72% 45%
The District CofE Primary School Faith Good2021 1.7 applications per place 60% 46%
Garswood Primary and Nursery School 2026 1.6 applications per place 70% 9%
Haydock English Martyrs' Primary School Faith Good2024 1.6 applications per place 59% 27%
Wargrave CofE Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 1.6 applications per place 57% 36%
St Anne's Catholic Primary School Faith Good2022 1.6 applications per place 35% 32%
St James' Church of England Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 1.6 applications per place 65% 44%
Carr Mill Primary School Remains Good2023 1.6 applications per place 52% 44%
St Theresa's Catholic Primary School Faith 2026 1.6 applications per place 69% 48%
Broad Oak Community Primary School Graded · no overall grade2024 1.4 applications per place 57% 60%
Thatto Heath Community Primary School Good2023 1.4 applications per place 68% 43%
Sutton Oak CofE Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 1.3 applications per place 57% 43%
St Mary's Catholic Junior Academy Faith Requires improvement2022 no data 72% 21%

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

Special schools and other provision

7 schools