SchoolScoresBirkdale High School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Boys only
Part of SOUTHPORT LEARNING TRUST
Windy Harbour Road, Birkdale, Southport, PR8 3DT
01704 577253 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 14 April 2026 , published 22 June 2026.
In short: 4 strong, 2 expected, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
176 pupils in this year group.
57% — 18 points above the Sefton average, and 12 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Sefton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 57% | 40% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 51.9 | 42.9 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.9 | 3.7 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
137 pupils in this year group.
91% — 2 points above the Sefton average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Sefton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 91% | 89% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 4% | 25% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 75% | 53% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 99% | 91% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Sefton. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 190 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 188 |
| Of those, offered a place | 184 (98%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 316 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Sefton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Higher than 35% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 21.8% | 29.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Higher than 36% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.4% | 3.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Higher than 72% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.8% | 16.0%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Higher than 48% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6% | 7.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Lower than 62% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.7% | 10.1%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Lower than 59% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 21.7% | 28.2%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Lower than 69% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.6 | 14.8 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Lower than 62% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.3% | 7.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.22% | 0.17% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Higher than 45% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.6 | 16.6 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Higher than 37% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.3 | 11.9 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Higher than 17% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 8.0% | 12.5%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Greenbank High School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 51% grade 5+ English and maths
- Christ The King Catholic High School and Sixth Form Centre 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
- Meols Cop High School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023, before conversion) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Birkdale High School's Ofsted rating?
Birkdale High School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 14 April 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 4 strong, 2 expected, and safeguarding was met.
How did Birkdale High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 57% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 12 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Birkdale High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 188 families put Birkdale High School as their first choice for 190 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 184 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 137297.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.