West Derby School
Liverpool, L13 7HQ · Liverpool · secondary school
Check the area around this school
17th of 30 secondary schools in Liverpool we can score, 33 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 2.1/10 against 531 of them, against 1.4/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 31.8 · 18 | 30% | 0.54 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.66 · 10 | 25% | 0.24 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 37.5 · 10 | 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.
West Derby School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 42.1% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 42.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.66 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.9 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,011 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,073. 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 current Attainment 8 and the national median? What specific strategies are in place to improve Progress 8 scores for students entering from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about West Derby School
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders maintain high expectations, resulting in pupils who are proud to attend and follow the ‘West Derby Way’. Strong relationships and mutual respect characterise interactions, creating a calm and purposeful atmosphere where pupils feel safe and happy. The curriculum is broad and ambitious, with careful consideration given to the needs of disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Strengths
- Teachers possess strong subject knowledge and design learning that helps pupils develop a "deep body of subject knowledge" through consistent curriculum mapping.
- Staff identify and address gaps in reading knowledge swiftly, ensuring pupils who find reading difficult "catch up quickly".
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are "well supported by staff" who adapt curriculum delivery skilfully.
- Leaders provide suitable careers advice, with almost all pupils progressing to further education, employment, or training.
- The school fosters acceptance of difference, with bullying dealt with "swiftly and effectively".
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, teachers do not always address pupils’ misconceptions successfully, leading to gaps in learning.
- Leaders have not ensured sufficient variety of activities in key stages 3 and 4 to cater for pupils’ diverse talents and interests.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders creating a "vigilant safeguarding culture" where staff promptly report concerns and act swiftly to follow them up.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 37.9 |
| 2024/25 | 42.0 |
| 2025/26 | 37.5 |
| 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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