Poynton High School
Stockport, SK12 1PU · Cheshire East · secondary school
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5th 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 407 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.3/10 among them, against 7.9/10 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 | 62.6 · 84 | 30% | 2.53 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.29 · 72 | 25% | 1.80 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 54.4 · 84 | 10% | 0.84 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Poynton High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 52.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 53.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.29 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.9 out of 10 among them, against 7.2 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, a Benfica Sports Tour, music tours, and choir. Trips include visits to Auschwitz, Madrid, Iceland, Paris, and a German exchange, alongside a Menai Transition residential, Alderley Park career events, and University Taster days.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,467 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,552. 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 scores relative to similar-intake schools? What specific support is available for students aiming for university places? How are the various residential trips integrated into the curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Poynton High School
Overview
Poynton High School continues to be a good school, with staff holding high aspirations for pupil achievement. The report highlights an ambitious curriculum, positive behaviour, and effective support for pupils’ personal development and well-being.
Strengths
- Leaders have designed an "ambitious curriculum" that builds on previous learning, enabling pupils to develop a "broad and sophisticated body of knowledge."
- Pupils typically behave well, upholding values of "mutual kindness, tolerance and respect," which helps them feel happy and safe.
- Sixth-form students actively mentor younger pupils and engage in leadership roles, including the school council and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
- Leaders act swiftly to support pupils with special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with most achieving as well as their peers.
- Staff receive regular safeguarding training, and leaders maintain strong relationships with external agencies to secure timely support for vulnerable pupils.
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, some teachers do not choose appropriate activities, meaning "some pupils do not learn as deeply as they should."
- Some teachers do not use assessment strategies effectively to check learning, allowing "misconceptions and gaps in their knowledge" to persist.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders ensuring staff are fully equipped to identify risks and share information efficiently to support vulnerable pupils.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 56.9 |
| 2024/25 | 53.0 |
| 2025/26 | 54.4 |
| 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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