Wade Deacon High School
Widnes, WA8 7TD · Halton · secondary school
Check the area around this school
1st 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 — 7.7/10 against 882 of them, against 6.7/10 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 | 94 | 35% | 3.29 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 53.8 · 71 | 30% | 2.13 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.17 · 62 | 25% | 1.56 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 49.2 · 67 | 10% | 0.67 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Wade Deacon High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 62.1% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 54.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.17 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.6 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in January 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the D&D Club, play Rugby, Football, Basketball, or join the Trampolining Club, and participate in Dance. The school offers Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, a breakfast club, and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,658 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,625. 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
What specific support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How is the Duke of Edinburgh programme structured for Year 12 students?
What Ofsted said about Wade Deacon High School
Overview
Wade Deacon High School is judged as ‘Outstanding’ across all inspection categories. The report describes a school where pupils are ‘completely committed’ to its values, resulting in ‘exemplary’ behaviour and ‘exceptional’ academic achievement for all students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate ‘exemplary’ behaviour and ‘impeccable’ conduct, driven by leaders’ high expectations and the ‘Wade Deacon Way’.
- The curriculum is ‘rich and ambitious’, with teachers using ‘strong subject knowledge’ to help pupils develop a ‘deep and rich body of subject knowledge’.
- Pastoral support is a ‘key strength’, with staff dealing with issues such as bullying ‘swiftly and effectively’.
- Leaders prioritise reading, ensuring pupils who fall behind ‘catch up quickly’ and access the full curriculum.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are ‘fully included’ and ‘achieve very highly’ on the same ambitious curriculum as their peers.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with staff acting ‘quickly to identify vulnerable pupils’ and fostering ‘close links with external agencies’ to provide timely support.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 48.2 |
| 2024/25 | 54.0 |
| 2025/26 | 49.2 |
| 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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