The Heath School
Runcorn, WA7 4SY · Halton · secondary school
Check the area around this school
5th of 8 secondary schools in Halton 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 — 2.9/10 against 713 of them, against 2.4/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 32.6 · 20 | 46% | 0.90 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.27 · 30 | 38% | 1.14 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 41.0 · 24 | 15% | 0.37 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Heath School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 36.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 42.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.27 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 (4.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.1 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in Peer Mentors, Anti-bullying Ambassadors, Well-being Ambassadors, KIT Awards, Form Captains, Vice Form Captains, Year Councils, and the Junior Leadership Team.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,174 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 who are below the national median in Attainment 8? What specific strategies are used to improve Progress 8 scores? How are the leadership roles structured to ensure broad participation across the year group?
What Ofsted said about The Heath School
Overview
The Heath School is described as an ambitious institution where pupils enjoy learning and feel happy and safe. The report highlights a curriculum that is "rich, varied and engaging," fostering strong relationships between staff and pupils. Most pupils achieve well, with particular praise for the school’s focus on personal development and the positive contributions of student leaders.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "aspirational and well designed," with clear sequencing of knowledge that sets pupils up well for future study.
- Pupils demonstrate "very positive attitudes to learning" in classrooms that are "calm, orderly places."
- Personal development is a strength, focusing on values such as "kindness, integrity and tenacity" and preparing pupils as "active citizens."
- The school effectively supports pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who are "achieving better than they have in the past."
- Student leaders act as "excellent role models," contributing to strong staff-pupil relationships through initiatives like well-being forums.
Areas to improve
- Some teachers do not use assessment systems consistently, moving on to new topics before pupils’ knowledge is secure, which hinders deep learning.
- Teachers do not always design appropriate activities to help weaker readers develop confidence, limiting their ability to access the wider curriculum.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 43.2 |
| 2024/25 | 42.5 |
| 2025/26 | 41.0 |
| 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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