The Sutton Academy
St Helens, WA9 5AU · St. Helens · secondary school
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3rd of 9 secondary schools in St. Helens 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 — 6.9/10 against 551 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 | 21 | 35% | 0.74 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 45.6 · 52 | 30% | 1.54 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.06 · 46 | 25% | 1.14 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.5 · 47 | 10% | 0.47 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Sutton Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 39.1% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.06 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than peers nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in June 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Basketball Club, play rugby, attend Sports Day, and participate in a charity dance show.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,441 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,550. 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 steps are taken to improve Progress 8 scores for students with similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about The Sutton Academy
Overview
The Sutton Academy is a school where leaders create an environment in which pupils "enjoy learning, develop hope and ambition and know they are cared for." The report highlights a "deep sense of belonging" among students, who are "overwhelmingly proud of their school" and behave with "kindness and respect." While most pupils attain in line with national averages, the inspection identifies specific areas for strengthening in academic support and attendance.
Strengths
- Leaders use educational research to inform teaching, resulting in lessons of a "consistently high standard" that enable pupils to build "deep and thorough knowledge."
- The school demonstrates "very highest standards of care" for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, ensuring they access the "same rich and ambitious curriculum as their peers."
- Personal development is central to the ethos, with pupils being "very well prepared for life in modern Britain" through a curriculum covering fundamental British values and online safety.
- Pastoral support is "highly effective," characterised by the "kindness of the teachers," which fosters positive relationships and a safe environment.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure that academic support strategies are "effective across all subjects and key stages" to raise achievement.
- Leaders should "reinforce their efforts to address persistent absence" to secure high attendance rates for all pupils.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 43.1 |
| 2024/25 | 43.1 |
| 2025/26 | 45.5 |
| 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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