Ofsted: Needs attention trending_up Places Available emoji_events #25 in Cheshire West and Chester public Top 57% UK

Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College

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

person Mrs Rachel Hudson (Headteacher)

corporate_fareBlacon High School Trust

location_onChester, CH1 5JH

language Visit Website phone 01244371475

verified

Ofsted

Needs attention

Inspected 2026

groups

Students

716

trending_up

Attainment 8

30.3

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#24 in Cheshire West and Chester

#3,630 of 4,024 nationally

summarize

Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College is a Foundation school secondary school in Chester, serving ages 11-16. Assessed as Needs Attention in curriculum and teaching on its latest Ofsted Report Card.

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School Summary

Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College is a foundation school in Chester, Cheshire West and Chester, admitting pupils aged 11-16. It is part of Blacon High School Trust. The school has approximately 651 pupils on roll, of whom 48% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2026, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 30.3, placing the school #24 in Cheshire West and Chester and #3,630 of 4,024 nationally. 19.70% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 7.8% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2026. The school's current overall rating is Needs attention. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Needs attention, behaviour and attitudes Expected standard, personal development Expected standard, and leadership and management Needs attention.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.9× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 13.9:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 5 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 9.7 per 1,000 pupils per term.

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

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2026

Attainment 8 Score

30.3

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

19.70%

Grade 4+ E&M

31.50%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)7.8%

5+ GCSEs (4+ incl. E&M)25.20%

Triple Science Entry0.00%

EBacc Slot Score7.6 / 30

2025

Attainment 8 Score

33.2

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

17.30%

Grade 4+ E&M

36.80%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)6.4%

Entering EBacc8.30%

EBacc APS2.59

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.63

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

37.2

Grade 5+ E&M

23.60%

Entering EBacc9.40%

EBacc APS2.97

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.65

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

35.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc6%

EBacc APS2.66

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.83

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

36.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc6%

EBacc APS2.84

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.67

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

41.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc28%

EBacc APS3.35

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.55

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

37.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc13%

EBacc APS2.76

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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.

2026

Stayed in Education / Employment

74.8%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)59.8%

Apprenticeships5.5%

Employment9.4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)17.3%

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

75%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)62%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment10%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)15%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

79%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)69%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)19%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

77%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)59%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment16%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)18%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

72%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)63%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment9%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)15%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

68%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)55%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment13%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)14%

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Ranking History & Trajectory

National & Local Authority position based on DfE performance data · Methodology

Year	Secondary Overall (Nat)	LA Rank	GCSE Attainment	Progress 8 Rank
2026	#3,742 / 4,024	#25	#3,630	#1
2025	#3,550 / 3,948	#23	#3,477	#1
2024	#3,320 / 4,450	#22	#3,121	#2,813
2023	#3,371 / 4,321	#23	#3,223	#2,773
2022	#3,364 / 4,199	#25	#3,223	#2,853
2019	#2,401 / 2,711	#15	#2,147	#2,558
2018	#2,418 / 2,537	#16	#2,363	#2,330

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

12 May 2026

Inspection Report

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02 April 2025

Inspection Report

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28 November 2023

Inspection Report

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19 October 2021

Inspection Report

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01 October 2020

Inspection Report

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26 January 2016

Inspection Report

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14 January 2014

Inspection Report

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05 November 2013

Inspection Report

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06 March 2012

Inspection Report

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17 November 2009

Inspection Report

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11 March 2009

Inspection Report

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11 January 2006

Inspection Report

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14 February 2000

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

5 Evaluations

2026-05-12

S5 Inspection REIF Report Card

Report Card

info

Why no single overall grade?

From autumn 2024 / 2025, Ofsted replaced single-word headline grades (Outstanding / Good / RI / Inadequate) with individual area judgements on a Report Card.

Curriculum & Teaching

Needs attention

Achievement

Needs attention

Attendance & Behaviour

Expected standard

Personal Development

Expected standard

Inclusion

Needs attention

Leadership & Governance

Needs attention

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2023-11-28

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Requires improvement

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2021-10-19

S5 Inspection EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Requires improvement

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2016-01-26

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2013-11-05

None Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

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

5.1%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

4.0%(28 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 705 pupils. During this period, there were 36 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 5.1%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	705	36	5.1%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	711	102	14.3%	7.8%	5
2023/24 (Summer term)	719	45	6.3%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	723	36	5.0%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	734	42	5.7%	8.2%	3
2022/23 (Summer term)	716	17	2.4%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	716	27	3.8%	6.4%	3
2022/23 (Autumn term)	718	15	2.1%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	684	27	3.9%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	682	39	5.7%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	682	18	2.6%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	665	13	2.0%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	671	3	0.4%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	664	21	3.2%	3.9%	2
2019/20 (Summer term)	607	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	607	16	2.6%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	604	16	2.6%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	530	7	1.3%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	526	12	2.3%	3.8%	2
2018/19 (Autumn term)	531	17	3.2%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	454	3	0.7%	3.4%	2
2017/18 (Spring term)	452	2	0.4%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	450	8	1.8%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	417	7	1.7%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	423	13	3.1%	3.3%	3
2016/17 (Autumn term)	427	9	2.1%	3.1%	0

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

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psychology_alt

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.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 59 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 54 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 30 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 26 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 16 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 12 pupils

Physical Disability 5 pupils

Visual Impairment 2 pupils

Hearing Impairment 1 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

Overall, how do parents view this school?

14%Positive

My child is happy at this school.

23%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

38%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

When bullying took place, the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.

strongly agree2%

agree11%

disagree30%

strongly disagree43%

not applicable49%

Neither agree nor disagree14%

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree7%

agree10%

disagree24%

strongly disagree31%

don't know1%

Neither agree nor disagree26%

When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart.

strongly agree6%

agree10%

Neither agree nor disagree16%

disagree27%

strongly disagree37%

Don't know3%

The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well.

strongly agree6%

agree15%

Neither agree nor disagree14%

disagree29%

strongly disagree35%

Don't know1%

The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know.

strongly agree6%

agree16%

disagree28%

strongly disagree37%

Neither agree nor disagree13%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly.

strongly agree8%

agree12%

disagree23%

strongly disagree41%

don't know2%

not applicable2%

Neither agree nor disagree12%

Does your child have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)?

yes47%

no53%

My child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree3%

agree10%

disagree20%

strongly disagree55%

Neither agree nor disagree13%

Would you recommend this school to another parent?

yes17%

no83%

Top Secondary Schools in Cheshire West and Chester

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Tarporley High School and Sixth Form College

Good

location_on Tarporley, CW6 0BL

emoji_events #1 in LA

Christleton High School

Good

location_on Chester, CH3 7AD

emoji_events #2 in LA

Bishop Heber High School

Expected standard

location_on Malpas, SY14 8JD

emoji_events #3 in LA

Upton-by-Chester High School

Good

location_on Chester, CH2 1NN

emoji_events #4 in LA

St Nicholas Catholic High School

Good

location_on Northwich, CW8 1JW

emoji_events #5 in LA

Weaverham High School

Expected standard

location_on Northwich, CW8 3HT

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Cheshire West and Chester arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Ranking History & Trajectory

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

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)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Overall, how do parents view this school?

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

When bullying took place, the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart.

The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well.

The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly.

Does your child have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)?

My child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

Would you recommend this school to another parent?

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Cheshire West and Chester

Tarporley High School and Sixth Form College

Christleton High School

Bishop Heber High School

Upton-by-Chester High School

St Nicholas Catholic High School

Weaverham High School