Ofsted: Outstanding

West Kirby School and College

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMiss S Thomas

location_onWirral, CH48 5DH

language Visit Website phone 1516323201

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2016

groups

Students

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Attainment 8

16.7

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GCSE Rank

#23 in Wirral

#3,883 of 4,663 nationally

summarize

West Kirby School and College is a Non-maintained special school school in Wirral, serving ages 5-19. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade.

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School Summary

West Kirby School and College is a non-maintained special school in Wirral, admitting pupils aged 5-19. The school has approximately 110 pupils on roll, of whom 39% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 16.7, placing the school #23 in Wirral and #3,883 of 4,663 nationally. 7.70% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 3.1% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2016. The school's current overall rating is Outstanding.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 11.9 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

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Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

16.7

Grade 5+ E&M

7.70%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)3.1%

Entering EBacc0.00%

EBacc APS1.37

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.82

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

11.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0.00%

EBacc APS0.86

2023

Progress 8 Score

-1.49

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

13.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS1.01

2022

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

6.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS0.39

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-2.56

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

7.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS0.65

2018

Progress 8 Score

-1.79

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

9.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS0.82

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

100%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)100%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

77%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)77%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)15%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)83%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment8%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

86%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)81%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)10%

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

08 December 2021

Inspection Report

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09 December 2020

Inspection Report

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10 February 2016

Inspection Report

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29 January 2013

Inspection Report

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08 October 2008

Inspection Report

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28 January 2008

Inspection Report

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12 January 2004

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2016-02-10

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2013-01-29

S5 Inspection Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2008-01-28

None EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

9.1%per term

warning Above Average

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

7.3%(8 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 110 pupils. During this period, there were 10 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 9.1%, which is above the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg
2024/25 (Spring term)	110	10	9.1%	7.3%
2024/25 (Autumn term)	109	16	14.7%	7.8%
2023/24 (Summer term)	106	8	7.5%	7.4%
2023/24 (Spring term)	105	6	5.7%	7.1%
2023/24 (Autumn term)	105	12	11.4%	8.2%
2022/23 (Summer term)	96	8	8.3%	6.6%
2022/23 (Spring term)	97	8	8.2%	6.4%
2022/23 (Autumn term)	94	14	14.9%	5.9%
2021/22 (Summer term)	96	5	5.2%	4.7%
2021/22 (Spring term)	96	11	11.5%	4.9%
2021/22 (Autumn term)	93	9	9.7%	4.4%
2020/21 (Summer term)	90	14	15.6%	3.6%
2020/21 (Spring term)	83	8	9.6%	1.0%
2020/21 (Autumn term)	76	6	7.9%	3.9%
2019/20 (Summer term)	85	3	3.5%	0.0%
2019/20 (Spring term)	85	1	1.2%	3.2%
2019/20 (Autumn term)	81	8	9.9%	4.2%
2018/19 (Summer term)	76	9	11.8%	3.1%
2018/19 (Spring term)	75	23	30.7%	3.8%
2018/19 (Autumn term)	76	22	28.9%	3.8%
2017/18 (Summer term)	91	10	11.0%	3.4%
2017/18 (Spring term)	89	14	15.7%	3.0%
2017/18 (Autumn term)	88	20	22.7%	3.7%
2016/17 (Summer term)	90	10	11.1%	3.0%
2016/17 (Spring term)	87	9	10.3%	3.3%
2016/17 (Autumn term)	86	6	7.0%	3.1%

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 76 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 24 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 7 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 2 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 1 pupils

West Kirby School and College

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)