Ofsted: Good trending_up Popular emoji_events #2 in Halton public Top 31% UK

Sandymoor Ormiston Academy

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

person Ms Linsey Hand

corporate_fareORMISTON ACADEMIES TRUST

location_onRuncorn, WA7 1QU

language Visit Website phone 01928571217

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

601

trending_up

Attainment 8

43.2

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GCSE Rank

#2 in Halton

#2,382 of 4,024 nationally

summarize

Sandymoor Ormiston Academy is a Free schools secondary school in Runcorn, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted. Demand is above capacity (1.1×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

Sandymoor Ormiston Academy is a free schools in Runcorn, Halton, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It is part of ORMISTON ACADEMIES TRUST. The school has approximately 631 pupils on roll, of whom 29% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2026, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 43.2, placing the school #2 in Halton and #2,382 of 4,024 nationally. 36.90% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 18.8% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. 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.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.1× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 16.5:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 2.9 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

43.2

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

36.90%

Grade 4+ E&M

56.60%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)18.8%

5+ GCSEs (4+ incl. E&M)56.60%

Triple Science Entry19.70%

EBacc Slot Score13.3 / 30

2025

Attainment 8 Score

44.4

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

43.10%

Grade 4+ E&M

63.70%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)17.0%

Entering EBacc15.70%

EBacc APS3.85

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.48

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

42.5

Grade 5+ E&M

39.70%

Entering EBacc6.00%

EBacc APS3.45

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.50

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

42.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc5%

EBacc APS3.44

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.33

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc8%

EBacc APS3.93

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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

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)82.8%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment5.2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2.6%

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

87%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)79%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

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

Apprenticeships4%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

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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	#1,871 / 4,024	#2	#2,382	#1
2025	#2,367 / 3,948	#4	#2,097	#1
2024	#2,270 / 4,450	#3	#2,392	#2,622
2023	#2,289 / 4,321	#4	#2,341	#2,603
2022	#2,537 / 4,199	#6	#2,021	#2,267

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

17 April 2024

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2024-04-17

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2018-02-27

S5 Inspection EIF

Inadequate

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2014-01-16

None EIF

Good

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

3.7%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.0%(12 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 599 pupils. During this period, there were 22 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 3.7%, 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)	599	22	3.7%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	604	13	2.2%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	588	13	2.2%	7.4%	2
2023/24 (Spring term)	598	16	2.7%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	610	18	3.0%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	600	21	3.5%	6.6%	2
2022/23 (Spring term)	601	30	5.0%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	604	40	6.6%	5.9%	2
2021/22 (Summer term)	556	16	2.9%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	547	12	2.2%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	549	19	3.5%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	491	9	1.8%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	486	0	0.0%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	485	3	0.6%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	465	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	465	13	2.8%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	0	1	-	4.2%	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 37 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 27 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 24 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 10 pupils

Physical Disability 2 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 1 pupils

Hearing Impairment 1 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 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.

My child is happy at this school.

86%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

90%Positive

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

15%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree42%

agree38%

disagree11%

strongly disagree4%

don't know5%

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

strongly agree30%

agree40%

disagree19%

strongly disagree8%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree30%

agree24%

disagree16%

strongly disagree5%

don't know1%

not applicable24%

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

yes36%

no64%

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

strongly agree48%

agree22%

disagree18%

strongly disagree8%

Don't know3%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree41%

agree41%

disagree9%

strongly disagree3%

don't know5%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree36%

agree47%

disagree11%

strongly disagree2%

don't know4%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree40%

agree39%

disagree13%

strongly disagree7%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree43%

agree44%

disagree7%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree58%

agree39%

disagree2%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree41%

agree38%

disagree12%

strongly disagree5%

don't know5%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes79%

no21%

Top Secondary Schools in Halton

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Wade Deacon High School

Outstanding

location_on Widnes, WA8 7TD

emoji_events #1 in LA

The Heath School

Requires improvement

location_on Runcorn, WA7 4SY

emoji_events #3 in LA

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic High School

Good

location_on Widnes, WA8 7DW

emoji_events #4 in LA

Ormiston Chadwick Academy

Good

location_on Widnes, WA8 7HU

emoji_events #5 in LA

Blessed Carlo Acutis Catholic and Church of England Academy

Inadequate

location_on Runcorn, WA7 5YH

emoji_events #6 in LA

Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy

Needs attention

location_on Runcorn, WA7 6EP

emoji_events #7 in LA

View all schools in Halton 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

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.

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 Halton

Wade Deacon High School

The Heath School

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic High School

Ormiston Chadwick Academy

Blessed Carlo Acutis Catholic and Church of England Academy

Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy