AS the deadline for secondary school applications has been confirmed, parents are beginning to make the difficult decision of which school they should send their child to in Warrington.

Parents are able to make three preferences of schools with the hope that their first choice will be allocated to their child.

In recognition of this, we thought we would give you an insight into what each secondary school in Warrington has been rated by Ofsted up to now.

The education regulators use a four-point grading scale for inspection judgements:

These are:

Grade 1: outstanding.

Grade 2: good.

Grade 3: requires improvement.

Grade 4: inadequate.

Padgate Academy – ‘good’

Last inspected in May, 2023, Padgate Academy were rated a good school.

A report by inspectors began: “Padgate Academy is a caring and welcoming learning environment for pupils. New arrivals to the school, including pupils who speak English as an additional language, are helped by staff to settle in quickly.

“Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including those who attend the specially resourced provision for pupils with SEND (specially resourced provision), are fully included in all aspects of school life.”

Beamont Collegiate Academy – ‘good’

Beamont Collegiate based in Orford received its most recent Ofsted visit in July 2022 and was rated good.

The Inspectors report read: “Pupils at Beamont enjoy coming to school. They are happy and friendly. Pupils like the enrichment activities that leaders provide.

“These opportunities are wide-ranging and include choir, chess, and yoga. Pupils particularly enjoy the combined cadet force.”

St Gregory’s Catholic School – ‘good’

Recently inspected in July by Ofsted, the visit determined that the school ‘continued to be good’.

An inspector said: “Pupils are proud to attend this school. They value the strong relationships that they have with their teachers.

“Pupils, including those who attend the specially resourced provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) (specially resourced provision), are well supported. This helps them to feel safe and happy.”

Cardinal Newman Catholic High School – ‘good’

Based in Latchford, Cardinal Newman received a visit from Ofsted in November 2022 which determined the school to be good.

The inspectors report began: “Pupils are proud to be part of this happy and welcoming school. They feel valued by leaders.

“Leaders have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour and achievement. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), rise well to these expectations.”

Birchwood Community High School – ‘good’

Birchwood High was rated good by Ofsted in its last inspection in October, 2018.

“Leaders, including governors, have an accurate view of the quality of education in the school. They have effectively addressed the areas for improvement which inspectors identified at the last inspection.

“They have welcomed external support from the leadership of two other schools and an independent school improvement partner.”

Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School – ‘good’

Latchford based, Sir Thomas Boteler last received an inspection from the education watchdogs in October 2021 which determined it to be a good school.

The report read: “Pupils are immensely proud of their school. They value the sense of belonging that they feel in this tight-knit community.

“Many pupils told inspectors that they feel part of the ‘Boteler’ family. Pupils were positive about the close relationships that they forge with adults.”

Bridgewater High School – ‘good’

Based in Appleton, Bridgewater had a visit from Ofsted in October, 2022 where it was rated good by inspectors.

The report begins: “Bridgewater High School is a welcoming and friendly school. Leaders and staff have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour and achievement.

“In most subjects, pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), learn well.”

“Pupils are happy at school and enjoy learning. They feel safe and gain a strong appreciation of equality and diversity.

King's Leadership Academy Warrington – ‘outstanding’

This academy located in Woolston received the highest rating by Ofsted of outstanding in its most recent visit in July 2019.

The report read: “The headteacher, trustees and other senior leaders share a clear vision, focusing on pupils’ character and academic achievement. Staff implement the vision very effectively, and pupils receive an outstanding education.”

“Leaders are committed to equality. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported very well.”

Woolston Brook School – ‘good’

This secondary school in Padgate was last visited by Ofsted in March this year, this was an ungraded inspection. It stated that ‘evidence gathered suggests that the inspection grade might not be as high if a graded (section 5) inspection were carried out now’.

The report read: “Pupils are welcomed to Woolston Brook School with a warm smile and a friendly greeting.

“Many pupils join the school having had difficulties in managing their feelings and regulating their behaviour at previous settings. Here, they begin to rebuild their trust in adults and develop a sense of belonging.”

Great Sankey High School – ‘good’

Great Sankey High School last received an inspection in March, 2023 when it was rated a good school.

The inspectors report read: “Pupils, and students in the sixth form, spoke positively about their time at Great Sankey High School. Relationships between pupils and staff are respectful and caring.

“Pupils said that bullying is not tolerated and, that when it does happen, it is dealt with well. Pupils told inspectors that they feel safe and happy in school. Recently, leaders have transformed the culture in school by raising staff’s expectations of pupils’ behaviour.

Culcheth High School – ‘good’

This secondary school last received a visit from Ofsted in November 2022 when it was rated a good school.

An official report began: “Pupils are proud to be part of this inclusive community. The school values are ‘respect, honesty and excellence’. Pupils live up to these values by working hard and respecting each other’s differences.

“They enjoy good, honest relationships with senior staff and teachers. Pupils’ behaviour matches the high expectations of their teachers. In lessons, pupils listen, join in enthusiastically when invited by their teacher and concentrate thoroughly on their work.”

Lymm High School - 'good'

Lymm Highschool was rated good in its most recent visit by Ofsted in March this year and was graded good. Its sixth form provision was however rated outstanding.

The report read: “Pupils, including students in the sixth form, do well academically in this school. They live up to the high expectations that the school sets for their achievement.

“Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), benefit from an ambitious and well-structured curriculum.

“Pupils enjoy coming to school. They value the care and support that they receive from their teachers. This helps them to feel safe.”

Penketh High School – ‘good’

Penketh High School was inspected by Ofsted last in February 2020 where it was determined to be a good school.

An inspector said: “The headteacher and trustees promote the highest of ambitions for all pupils. They are determined to provide the best for them.

“The hard work of staff contributes to the good quality of education that pupils receive. Pupils’ learning is strong across the curriculum, and this helps them to do well in their examinations. This includes those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

“Disadvantaged pupils have recently done much better in their GCSE examinations than those in previous years. Over time, their results are catching up with those of other pupils nationally.”

To read any of the reports in full visit the website gov.uk/find-ofsted-inspection-report.