Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #7 in Wirral public Top 13% UK

Birkenhead High School Academy

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

personMrs Rebecca Mahony

corporate_fareGDST ACADEMY TRUST

location_onPrenton, CH43 1TY

language Visit Website phone 1516525777

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,210

trending_up

Attainment 8

50.5

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#7 in Wirral

#876 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Birkenhead High School Academy is a Academy sponsor led secondary school in Prenton, serving ages 3-19. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

Birkenhead High School Academy is an academy sponsor led in Prenton, Wirral, admitting pupils aged 3-19. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of GDST ACADEMY TRUST. The school has approximately 1,212 pupils on roll, of whom 19% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 50.5, placing the school #7 in Wirral and #876 of 3,216 nationally. 45.30% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 19.8% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

In 2025, 61% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths combined. The school ranks #42 of 19 primaries in Wirral and #9,824 of 3,216 nationally.

The sixth form offers 20 A-level subjects. 53.0% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 18.8% at A*–A. A-level value added: +0.14 — students made above-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 1.0× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 16.8:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there was 1 permanent exclusion. The average suspension rate was 0.3 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)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

50.5

Grade 5+ E&M

45.30%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)19.8%

Entering EBacc44.50%

EBacc APS4.41

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.43

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc54.30%

EBacc APS4.18

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.63

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

51.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc37%

EBacc APS4.37

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.29

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc50%

EBacc APS4.31

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc46%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.28

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc53%

EBacc APS4.06

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.24

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc46%

EBacc APS4.26

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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

95%

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

Apprenticeships1%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

+0.14

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*2.6%

Achieving A*–A18.8%

Achieving A*–B53.0%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate93.3%

A-level subjects offered20

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.08

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate88.50%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate80.30%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate98.3%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

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Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

2025

R/W/M Expected Standard

61%

LA 53%

Reading70% LA 69%

Writing70% LA 63%

Maths73% LA 65%

Read SS

105

Maths SS

103

GPS SS

105

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2024

R/W/M Expected Standard

72%

LA 50%England 61%

Reading89% LA 68% · Eng 74%

Writing74% LA 63% · Eng 72%

Maths79% LA 62% · Eng 73%

Read SS

108

Maths SS

104

GPS SS

105

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2023

R/W/M Expected Standard

66%

LA 52%England 60%

Reading77% LA 67% · Eng 73%

Writing73% LA 64% · Eng 71%

Maths71% LA 64% · Eng 73%

Read SS

106

Maths SS

103

GPS SS

105

Progress (0 = national avg)

1.9

Read

LA -0.2

0.3 to 3.6

0.9

Write

LA -0.8

-0.7 to 2.5

-0.4

Maths

LA -0.7

-2.0 to 1.2

2019

R/W/M Expected Standard

64%

LA 56%England 65%

Reading77% LA 65% · Eng 73%

Writing80% LA 70% · Eng 78%

Maths82% LA 70% · Eng 79%

Read SS

104

Maths SS

105

GPS SS

107

Progress (0 = national avg)

-3.9

Read

LA -0.7

-5.6 to -2.3

-3.5

Write

LA -1.1

-5.0 to -2.0

-2.8

Maths

LA -0.7

-4.3 to -1.4

2018

R/W/M Expected Standard

70%

LA 56%

Reading88% LA 70%

Writing86% LA 72%

Maths71% LA 67%

Read SS

106

Maths SS

103

GPS SS

107

Progress (0 = national avg)

-1.5

Read

LA -0.4

-3.1 to 0.1

-0.8

Write

LA -0.6

-2.3 to 0.7

-3.3

Maths

LA -0.8

-4.7 to -1.9

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

25 April 2023

Inspection Report

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13 October 2015

Inspection Report

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02 February 2012

Inspection Report

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09 March 2011

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2023-04-25

Section 8 inspection of good and outstanding schools EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2015-10-13

Maintained Academy and School Short inspection Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2012-02-02

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

0.3%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

0.2%(3 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

1pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,212 pupils. During this period, there were 4 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 0.3%, 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)	1,212	4	0.3%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,209	3	0.2%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,197	12	1.0%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,202	8	0.7%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,207	10	0.8%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,216	8	0.7%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,210	13	1.1%	6.4%	2
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,215	7	0.6%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,203	6	0.5%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,199	11	0.9%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,195	7	0.6%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,185	12	1.0%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,186	4	0.3%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,194	4	0.3%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,146	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,146	5	0.4%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,158	4	0.3%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,139	7	0.6%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,140	3	0.3%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,139	6	0.5%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,104	6	0.5%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,106	2	0.2%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,111	3	0.3%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,086	3	0.3%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,092	6	0.5%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,090	13	1.2%	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 49 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 46 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 33 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 17 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 11 pupils

Hearing Impairment 10 pupils

Physical Disability 7 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 5 pupils

Visual Impairment 4 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

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

My child is happy at this school.

79.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

85.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

16.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree38%

agree37%

disagree15%

strongly disagree7%

don't know3%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree34%

agree31%

disagree23%

strongly disagree12%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree27%

agree18%

disagree13%

strongly disagree13%

don't know2%

not applicable27%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes24%

no76%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree28%

agree23%

disagree19%

strongly disagree23%

dont know7%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree52%

agree26%

disagree13%

strongly disagree4%

don't know5%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree48%

agree32%

disagree13%

strongly disagree5%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree43%

agree34%

disagree18%

strongly disagree5%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree49%

agree38%

disagree8%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree60%

agree31%

disagree5%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree46%

agree27%

disagree12%

strongly disagree8%

don't know6%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes75%

no25%

Top Secondary Schools in Wirral

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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West Kirby Grammar School

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Outstanding

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Upton Hall School FCJ

Outstanding

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Wirral Grammar School for Boys

Good

location_on Wirral, CH63 3AQ

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Primary Admission Trends

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

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

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 special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Wirral

West Kirby Grammar School

Wirral Grammar School for Girls

Calday Grange Grammar School

Upton Hall School FCJ

Wirral Grammar School for Boys

St Anselm's College