Penketh High School
Warrington, WA5 2BY · Warrington · secondary school
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7th of 13 secondary schools in Warrington we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 5.6/10 against 870 of them, against 4.9/10 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 48.2 · 59 | 30% | 1.76 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.22 · 33 | 25% | 0.83 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 47.7 · 59 | 10% | 0.59 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Penketh High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 47.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 46.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 for 2023/24 was -0.22, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.8 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2025.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh, Wool Craft, Chess Club, Debate Club, and Coding.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,058 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,200. 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?
What Ofsted said about Penketh High School
Overview
Penketh High School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The report describes an inclusive community where pupils feel safe and enjoy warm relationships with staff. Leaders are ambitious for all pupils, ensuring they gain the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in their future lives.
Strengths
- Pupils are proud of their community and "feel safe when they are in school," knowing who to speak to if worried.
- The curriculum is "broad and ambitious," with enrichment lessons designed to develop key skills for "safe, rewarding and happy lives."
- Teachers are "knowledgeable about their subjects" and apply effective teaching strategies well in lessons.
- The school accurately identifies pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who "progress well through the same ambitious curriculum as their peers."
- Reading is a priority, with a "well-structured reading curriculum" that helps the vast majority of pupils become "fluent and confident readers."
Areas to improve
- The impact of teachers’ assessment strategies is variable in a small number of subjects, meaning gaps in pupils’ knowledge are sometimes not identified or addressed quickly enough.
- A small minority of pupils, some of whom are disadvantaged, do not attend school often enough, which hinders their learning.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 45.5 |
| 2024/25 | 46.5 |
| 2025/26 | 47.7 |
| 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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