St Anselm's College
Prenton, CH43 1UQ · Wirral · Grammar school
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6th of 20 secondary schools in Wirral we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 515 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.6/10 among them, against 7.9/10 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 88.0 · 96 | 30% | 2.88 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.03 · 52 | 25% | 1.31 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 63.1 · 94 | 10% | 0.94 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Anselm's College overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 75.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 57.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.03 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally starting from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2025. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.1 out of 10 among them, against 7.7 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join clubs including LEGO, Science, Art, Board Games, D&D, Debating, Theatre Workshop, and Warhammer. Sports cover badminton, rugby, basketball, hockey, cross country, athletics, cricket, and tennis. Arts and music options include Tuesday Band, Jazz Band, String Ensemble, Keyboard Club, Pop Choir, and KS3 Film Club. Trips include skiing and rugby tours to Italy, Canada, the USA, and South Africa.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,002 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,026. 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 relative to similar-intake
What Ofsted said about St Anselm's College
Overview
St Anselm’s College has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. Pupils are proud to be part of this “welcoming and inclusive school” and enjoy being part of a “close-knit, friendly community.” The provision for pupils’ personal development is described as the “jewel in the school’s crown,” helping learners become “well-rounded, confident and articulate individuals.”
Strengths
- Pupils feel safe, benefit from strong relationships with teachers, and behave very well across the school.
- The curriculum is “broad and ambitious,” with clear expectations for essential knowledge, particularly in the sixth form.
- An “exceptional enrichment programme” offers extensive opportunities in sport, music, debating, and leadership.
- Staff accurately identify and support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), enabling them to achieve well.
- Attendance rates are high, and parents are highly supportive of the school’s open communication and behaviour policies.
Areas to improve
- In a minority of subjects at key stages 3 and 4, staff lack the necessary pedagogical expertise, meaning some pupils do not learn with the intended depth.
- Checks on pupils’ understanding in a minority of subjects are not refined enough, leading to gaps in learning that are not consistently addressed.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 55.6 |
| 2024/25 | 57.2 |
| 2025/26 | 63.1 |
| 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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