West Hill School
Stalybridge, SK15 1LX · Tameside · secondary school
Check the area around this school
12th of 16 secondary schools in Tameside we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 2.8/10 against 815 of them, against 2.7/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 10 | 35% | 0.34 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 35.3 · 25 | 30% | 0.75 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.31 · 26 | 25% | 0.66 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 43.2 · 35 | 10% | 0.35 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
West Hill School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 38.5% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.31 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 (3.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.3 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in April 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 852 pupils against a stated capacity of 850. 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 improve their Progress 8 scores, which are currently below the national baseline? What specific support is available for pupils aiming to raise their Attainment 8 above the national median?
What Ofsted said about West Hill School
Overview
West Hill School is a welcoming environment where pupils feel happy, safe, and valued, supported by strong relationships with staff. While attendance and behaviour meet the expected standard, the report identifies that achievement, teaching quality, and inclusion currently need attention due to inconsistencies across the curriculum.
Strengths
- Attendance is consistently above the national average, with persistent absence reducing year on year.
- Pupils embody the school’s ‘respect’ values well, creating a harmonious environment where bullying is rare and addressed swiftly.
- Leaders have revitalised staff morale, providing research-led professional learning and prioritising wellbeing.
- The personal development programme effectively nurtures resilience, confidence, and a sense of belonging through extra-curricular activities and citizenship opportunities.
- Trustees provide appropriate support and challenge, fulfilling their statutory duties effectively.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must use assessment techniques effectively to identify and address gaps in foundational knowledge, including reading, spelling, punctuation, and handwriting.
- Staff require precise information and expertise to adapt teaching consistently for pupils with additional needs, ensuring barriers to learning are reduced.
- Teaching quality must become more consistent across the school to ensure all pupils learn the curriculum thoroughly and misconceptions are corrected.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where concerns are actively identified, acted upon, and managed, ensuring pupils feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 44.3 |
| 2024/25 | 43.5 |
| 2025/26 | 43.2 |
| 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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