Chester International School
Chester, CH4 7AE · Cheshire West and Chester · secondary school
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17th of 20 secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.6/10 against 690 of them, against 0.8/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 33% | 1.75 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 27.6 · 11 | 31% | 0.35 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -1.2 · 1 | 26% | 0.03 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 38.5 · 14 | 10% | 0.14 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Chester International School overview
How it's doing
Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2022. In 2024/25, 23.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 34.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -1.2 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Photography Club, Coding & Animation, and Makerspace. Sports include Boxercise, Dance, Gym & Fitness, Yoga, and Rowing. Arts and music options comprise Theatre and Private Music Lessons.
Getting in
The published school roll is 229 pupils against a stated capacity of 320. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve progress scores for students starting from lower baselines?
What Ofsted said about Chester International School
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders have created a “welcoming and nurturing environment” with high expectations for pupil achievement. Pupils are “valued as individuals,” behave well, and feel safe, while staff foster positive relationships and effective safeguarding practices. The school offers a broad curriculum with an international dimension, supporting strong personal development and successful progression to further education or employment.
Strengths
- Leaders have developed a “broad and ambitious curriculum with an international dimension” tailored to pupils’ needs.
- Pupils are “polite and well mannered,” with staff managing behaviour effectively and dealing with bullying “swiftly and effectively.”
- There is a “strong culture of safeguarding,” with staff trained to recognise abuse and work closely with external agencies.
- Pupils benefit from a “wide range of extra-curricular activities” and enrichment opportunities that develop confidence and independence.
- Leaders prioritise mental health and well-being, helping pupils with disrupted education histories to “re-engage with education.”
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, teachers do not always choose the “most appropriate activities to deliver the knowledge,” leading to some pupils not remembering what they have learned.
- Leaders’ plans to address gaps in pupils’ reading knowledge are “still in the early stages of development,” hindering curriculum access for some.
- A small number of pupils “miss too much school,” negatively impacting their achievement, requiring leaders to ensure regular attendance.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a strong culture throughout the school and staff who are aware of the signs of abuse and know how to protect pupils.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 34.9 |
| 2024/25 | 34.5 |
| 2025/26 | 38.5 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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