Knutsford Academy
Knutsford, WA16 0EA · Cheshire East · secondary school
Check the area around this school
1st of 22 secondary schools in Cheshire East we can score, 23 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 738 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.0/10 among them, against 7.0/10 nationally. 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 | 84 | 35% | 2.93 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 63.1 · 85 | 30% | 2.55 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.03 · 48 | 25% | 1.20 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 52.9 · 80 | 10% | 0.80 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Knutsford Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 67.5% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 54.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.03 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.5 out of 10 among them, against 7.3 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in March 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Sewing, Art, and Baking Clubs, or participate in Football, Rugby, Netball, Basketball, Badminton, Cricket, Athletics, and Rounders. Creative opportunities include an Animation workshop and a Fashion Show.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,429 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,606. 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 improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8? How does the new Ofsted framework affect current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Knutsford Academy
Overview
Knutsford Academy is described as a "thriving and successful school community" where pupils feel safe and are actively engaged in their learning. The report highlights a "calm and purposeful" environment with high attendance rates and strong academic attainment, particularly for disadvantaged pupils. While most areas meet a "strong standard," leadership and personal development are assessed at the "expected standard," with specific recommendations for further refinement.
Strengths
- Pupils build knowledge securely, resulting in "high levels of attainment in national examinations that often exceed the average for all pupils nationally."
- Attendance is prioritised effectively, with overall rates "consistently above national averages" and swift support for vulnerable groups.
- The curriculum is "balanced and ambitious," with teachers receiving "highly effective training" to identify and address gaps in learning.
- Inclusion is robust, with "highly effective transition processes" ensuring disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs access the same challenging curriculum as their peers.
- Pupils display "high levels of respect, tolerance and cooperation," contributing to a low number of suspensions and a positive school culture.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should "more closely analyse the participation and performance of different groups of pupils" to better inform improvement priorities, particularly regarding personal development.
- Leaders should "more carefully track and analyse the quality and impact of the provision for students in the sixth form" to support higher achievement.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" ensuring that concerns are actively identified and managed to keep pupils safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 54.2 |
| 2024/25 | 54.9 |
| 2025/26 | 52.9 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of WA16 0EA, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT