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Local authority · North West

Schools in Wirral

  • 126State-funded schools
  • 91Primary
  • 20Secondary
  • 11Special
  • North WestRegion
Applications per placeCircle size: applications
First choice · secondary 2026
95%
12 pts above England (84%)
3,305 families applied
First choice · primary 2026
95%
3 pts above England (92%)
3,017 families applied
Applications per place · secondary
2.1
close to England median (2.2)
Median school
New Ofsted report cards
27of 126 schools
Results by area

How hard is it to get a place here?

DfE · families living in Wirral
Secondary (Year 7) · Sept 2026
95%got their first choice
12 pts above England (84%)

3,305 applicants · 0.9% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 95%; England 84%
  2. 2025 95%; England 84%
  3. 2024 91%; England 83%
  4. 2023 90%; England 83%
  5. 2022 89%; England 83%
  6. 2021 87%; England 81%
  7. 2020 90%; England 82%
  8. 2019 88%; England 81%
  9. 2018 85%; England 82%
  10. 2017 85%; England 83%
  11. 2016 85%; England 84%
  12. 2015 86%; England 84%
  13. 2014 92%; England 85%
  • Wirral
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 20263,30595.3%99.1%0.9%
Sep 20253,41795.1%99.1%0.8%
Sep 20243,54091.1%97.7%2.2%
Sep 20233,75989.8%96.0%3.8%
Sep 20223,66189.5%96.5%3.3%
Sep 20213,65087.2%95.5%4.5%
Sep 20203,60189.7%97.1%2.9%
Sep 20193,60687.6%97.1%2.9%
Sep 20183,59085.3%95.2%4.8%
Sep 20173,47485.3%95.8%4.2%
Sep 20163,28885.4%96.5%3.5%
Sep 20153,24886.2%97.1%2.9%
Sep 20143,23192.4%98.9%1.1%
Primary (Reception) · Sept 2026
95%got their first choice
3 pts above England (92%)

3,017 applicants · 1.1% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 95%; England 92%
  2. 2025 96%; England 93%
  3. 2024 94%; England 93%
  4. 2023 96%; England 92%
  5. 2022 95%; England 92%
  6. 2021 93%; England 92%
  7. 2020 92%; England 90%
  8. 2019 92%; England 91%
  9. 2018 93%; England 91%
  10. 2017 90%; England 90%
  11. 2016 87%; England 88%
  12. 2015 89%; England 88%
  13. 2014 90%; England 88%
  • Wirral
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 20263,01795.3%98.9%1.1%
Sep 20252,95296.0%99.1%0.9%
Sep 20243,13594.4%98.2%1.8%
Sep 20233,19196.2%98.8%1.2%
Sep 20223,28095.1%98.6%1.4%
Sep 20213,34793.4%98.1%1.9%
Sep 20203,50791.5%97.7%2.3%
Sep 20193,47291.7%98.1%1.9%
Sep 20183,60792.7%98.3%1.7%
Sep 20173,57989.6%96.8%3.2%
Sep 20163,87287.1%95.1%4.9%
Sep 20153,75289.1%96.5%3.5%
Sep 20143,70989.6%96.6%3.4%

What has Ofsted found here?

Ofsted data to 30 September 2026

Report cards 27 schools of 126 · since November 2025

  • Inclusion
  • Curriculum and teaching
  • Achievement
  • Attendance and behaviour
  • Personal development and wellbeing
  • Early years (21)
  • Post-16 provision (4)
  • Leadership and governance

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

Overall grade from Ofsted's previous framework 82 schools · graded 2010 to 2024

  • Outstanding12
  • Good63
  • Requires improvement5
  • Inadequate2

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

Graded 2024/25, no overall grade 16 schools

Key judgementOutstandingGoodRequires improvementInadequate
Quality of education114–1
Behaviour and attitudes312–1
Personal development3121–
Leadership and management114–1

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

Latest report cards

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

Secondary schools in Wirral

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
Birkenhead High School Academy Good2023 4.7 applications per place 49.1 20%
Pensby High School Remains Good2023 3.5 applications per place 45.9 25%
Hilbre High School 2026 3.3 applications per place 37.8 31%
Co-op Academy Bebington Good2023 2.7 applications per place 36.3 53%
Prenton High School for Girls Remains Good2022 2.5 applications per place 40.8 47%
Woodchurch High School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 2.5 applications per place 38.5 43%
Wirral Grammar School for Boys Selective Good2022 2.5 applications per place 68.2 11%
St Mary's Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy Faith 2026 2.3 applications per place 34.0 47%
St John Plessington Catholic College Faith Good2022 2.2 applications per place 39.4 43%
Wirral Grammar School for Girls Selective Outstanding2022 2.2 applications per place 70.9 10%
West Kirby Grammar School Selective Good2022 2.1 applications per place 68.6 8%
Ridgeway High School Good2024 2.1 applications per place 37.7 61%
St Anselm's College Selective Faith Standards maintained2025 2.0 applications per place 63.1 11%
Upton Hall School FCJ Selective Faith Outstanding2022 2.0 applications per place 65.6 10%
Birkenhead Park School 2026 1.9 applications per place 39.1 69%
South Wirral High School Good2022 1.9 applications per place 38.1 37%
The Mosslands School Requires improvement2024 1.8 applications per place 34.5 41%
Calday Grange Grammar School Selective Standards maintained2024 1.8 applications per place 63.7 8%
Co-op Academy Oldershaw Special measures Graded · no overall grade2025 1.8 applications per place 29.0 63%
Weatherhead High School Good2022 1.6 applications per place 44.2 43%

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 Wirral

91 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
Brookdale Primary School Remains Good2022 3.8 applications per place 69% 14%
St Alban's Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 3.4small intake applications per place – 41%
Gayton Primary School 2026 3.2 applications per place 82% 3%
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Birkenhead Faith Good2022 3.0 applications per place 68% 18%
Thornton Hough Primary School Outstanding2024 2.9 applications per place 100% 6%
Oxton St Saviour's CofE Primary School Faith Some aspects not as strong2024 2.8 applications per place – 11%
Brackenwood Infant School Outstanding2023 2.7 applications per place – 21%
Mount Primary School 2026 2.7 applications per place 56% 18%
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 2.7 applications per place 56% 23%
Heswall Primary School Remains Good2022 2.6 applications per place 68% 19%
Our Lady of Pity Catholic Primary and Nursery School Faith Outstanding2023 2.5 applications per place 86% 10%
Thingwall Primary School 2026 2.5 applications per place 79% 9%
Greasby Infant School Graded · no overall grade2024 2.4 applications per place – 4%
St Anne's Catholic Primary School Faith Standards maintained2025 2.4 applications per place 61% 53%
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Wallasey Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 2.4small intake applications per place 57% 61%
Stanton Road Primary School 2026 2.3 applications per place 52% 19%
Barnston Primary School 2026 2.2 applications per place 82% 2%
Woodchurch Road Academy 2025 2.2 applications per place 67% 55%
St Andrew's CofE Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 2.2 applications per place – 13%
Devonshire Park Primary School Standards maintained2024 2.1 applications per place 47% 44%
Greenleas Primary School Good2023 2.1 applications per place 44% 19%
Irby Primary School Good2023 2.1 applications per place 70% 4%
Raeburn Primary School Remains Good2023 2.1 applications per place 50% 10%
Bedford Drive Primary School Good2022 2.1 applications per place 38% 49%
West Kirby Primary School Remains Good2023 2.0 applications per place 81% 14%
Thurstaston Dawpool CofE Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 2.0 applications per place 83% 3%
Heswall St Peter's CofE Primary School Faith Remains Good2024 2.0 applications per place 70% 4%
Heygarth Primary School Remains Good2023 2.0 applications per place 65% 27%
Bidston Avenue Primary School Good2023 1.9 applications per place – 46%
Pensby Primary School 2026 1.9 applications per place 50% 16%
Birkenhead Christ Church CofE Primary School Faith Good2023 1.9 applications per place 56% 57%
Eastway Primary School Good2022 1.9 applications per place 21% 50%
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Upton Faith Standards maintained2024 1.9 applications per place 55% 25%
Mendell Primary School 2026 1.9 applications per place 41% 52%
Moreton Christ Church CofE Primary School Faith Good2023 1.9 applications per place 52% 19%
Riverside Primary School Good2023 1.9 applications per place 43% 76%
Great Meols Primary School Good2023 1.8 applications per place 75% 5%
SS Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Faith Remains Good2023 1.8 applications per place – 18%
Townfield Primary School Remains Good2023 1.8 applications per place 70% 17%
Church Drive Primary School Good2023 1.8 applications per place 69% 31%
St John's Catholic Infant School Faith Good2023 1.8 applications per place – 24%
Kingsway Primary School 2026 1.8small intake applications per place 37% 70%
St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary School Faith 2025 1.8 applications per place 61% 40%
St Werburgh's Catholic Primary School Faith Good2023 1.8 applications per place 44% 49%
Egremont Primary School 2026 1.7 applications per place 52% 65%
Mersey Park Primary School Standards maintained2025 1.7 applications per place 83% 63%
Woodchurch CofE Primary School Faith Special measures Inadequate2023 1.7 applications per place – 41%
Christ The King Catholic Primary School Faith Remains Good2024 1.7 applications per place 67% 17%
Poulton Lancelyn Primary School 2026 1.7 applications per place 83% 4%
Black Horse Hill Infant School Good2024 1.7 applications per place – 22%
Town Lane Infant School Outstanding2023 1.7 applications per place – 10%
Leasowe Primary School Graded · no overall grade2025 1.6small intake applications per place 53% 74%
New Brighton Primary School Good2023 1.6 applications per place 58% 28%
Somerville Primary School Good2023 1.6 applications per place 56% 62%
West Kirby St Bridget's CofE Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 1.6 applications per place – 4%
The Priory Parish CofE Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 1.6 applications per place 46% 70%
Co-op Academy Portland Graded · no overall grade2025 1.6 applications per place 45% 43%
Millfields Church of England (Controlled) Primary School Faith Requires improvement2024 1.6small intake applications per place 43% 67%
Park Primary School Good2023 1.6 applications per place 53% 57%
Rock Ferry Primary School Remains Good2020 1.6 applications per place 28% 67%
Co-op Academy Woodslee Good2023 1.6 applications per place 41% 47%
Well Lane Primary School Special measures Inadequate2023 1.6 applications per place – 68%
Hoylake Holy Trinity CofE Primary School Faith Good2023 1.6 applications per place – 17%
Co-op Academy Hillside 2026 1.6small intake applications per place 48% 48%
Ladymount Catholic Primary School Faith Good2024 1.5 applications per place 67% 7%
Prenton Primary School 2026 1.5 applications per place 53% 17%
Liscard Primary School Good2023 1.5 applications per place 68% 37%
Our Lady and St Edward's Catholic Primary School Faith Good2022 1.5 applications per place 36% 39%
Chapelhill Primary School Requires improvement2020 1.5small intake applications per place 50% 67%
Cathcart Street Primary School 2026 1.5 applications per place 26% 82%
Holy Spirit Catholic and Church of England Primary School Faith Good2023 1.5 applications per place 41% 53%
Lingham Primary School 2026 1.5 applications per place 60% 43%
St George's Primary School Remains Good2023 1.4 applications per place 64% 17%
Bidston Village CofE (Controlled) Primary School Faith 2026 1.4 applications per place 27% 65%
Overchurch Infant School 2026 1.4 applications per place – 18%
Woodlands Primary School 2026 1.4 applications per place 53% 61%
Grove Street Primary School Good2022 1.3 applications per place 30% 59%
Holy Cross Catholic Primary School Faith Good2022 1.3 applications per place 73% 82%
Castleway Primary School Graded · no overall grade2024 1.3 applications per place 33% 63%
St Paul's Catholic Primary School Faith 2026 1.2small intake applications per place 53% 66%
St Peter's Catholic Primary School Faith Good2022 1.2 applications per place 48% 73%
Manor Primary School Requires improvement2023 1.2small intake applications per place 56% 68%
Fender Primary School 2026 1.1 applications per place 41% 61%
Birkenhead Sixth Form College Not yet inspected no data – 0%
Black Horse Hill Junior School Remains Good2022 no data 44% 34%
Brackenwood Junior School Good2023 no data 85% 20%
Brookhurst Primary School Good2024 no data – –
Greasby Junior School 2026 no data 70% 11%
Higher Bebington Junior School Good2023 no data 64% 14%
Overchurch Junior School Requires improvement2021 no data 56% 28%
St John's Catholic Junior School Faith Good2023 no data 45% 29%

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

Special schools and other provision

15 schools