Ridgeway High School
Prenton, CH43 9EB · Wirral · secondary school
Check the area around this school
12th of 20 secondary schools in Wirral 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 — 3.9/10 against 171 of them, against 1.8/10 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 | 21.0 · 4 | 30% | 0.12 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.16 · 38 | 25% | 0.95 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 37.7 · 11 | 10% | 0.11 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ridgeway High School overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in March 2024. In 2024/25, 25.1% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 39.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.16 in 2023/24, 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 (4.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in trips to New York City, London, Wales, and Martin Mere, alongside visits to Condover Hall, a Sikh Gurdwara, and Wirral Emergency Services.
Getting in
The published school roll is 858 pupils against a stated capacity of 885. 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 Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific strategies are used to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Ridgeway High School
Overview
The report describes a school with a "strong sense of community" where pupils feel "happy and safe" and respect diversity. Leaders maintain "high aspirations" for all pupils, who generally "behave well" and strive to meet expectations through a "suitably ambitious curriculum" that prepares them for future education or training.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "designed well" in most subjects, with "carefully structured" content that helps pupils acquire precise knowledge and skills.
- Teachers possess "strong subject knowledge" and routinely check understanding, while the school prioritises reading with a "cohesive, structured programme" for those struggling.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) learn the same curriculum as peers, with additional needs identified "swiftly and accurately".
- Behaviour is positive, with teachers applying policy "consistently well" and taking "swift and appropriate action" for serious incidents.
- Staff are "extremely supportive of school leaders" and benefit from regular training, while governors share a vision for continuing high-quality education.
Areas to improve
- In a "very small number of subjects," the school must refine curriculum design to ensure it sets out the most important knowledge so pupils can build successfully on prior learning.
- In a few subjects with recent curriculum refinements, teachers must use assessment information more effectively to address misconceptions quickly and remedy gaps before introducing new concepts.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 36.5 |
| 2024/25 | 39.2 |
| 2025/26 | 37.7 |
| 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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