SchoolScoresBlacon High School, A Specialist Sports College
Foundation school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of Blacon High School Trust
Melbourne Road, Blacon, Chester, CH1 5JH
01244 371475 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 12 May 2026 , published 24 June 2026.
In short: 2 expected, 4 needs attention, 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. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| 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. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
54 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Chester comparisons use the 5 of its 7 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 2 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester. Higher than 23% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 72% | 85% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester. Higher than 33% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80% | 87% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester. Higher than 9% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 46% | 79% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 30 parents whose child had been bullied 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester. Higher than 6% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 27% | 49% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 43 parents who had raised a concern 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester. Higher than 8% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 42% | 72% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester. Higher than 10% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50%said yes | 83% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Chester figures pool parents at the Chester schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
133 pupils in this year group.
17% — 25 points below the Cheshire West and Chester average, and 28 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 17% | 42% | 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. | 33.2 | 44.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 2.6 | 4.0 | 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.
126 pupils in this year group.
75% — 16 points below the Cheshire West and Chester average, and 17 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 75% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 11% | 32% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 15% | 13% |
| Further education college | 49% | 34% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 10% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 79% | 75% |
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 Cheshire West and Chester. 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 | 78 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 74 |
| Of those, offered a place | 74 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 98 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9
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 | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chester. Higher than 86% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 47.4% | 22.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chester. Higher than 94% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.7% | 3.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chester. Higher than 94% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 22.8% | 12.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chester. Higher than 35% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.5% | 7.0%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 6th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Chester. Lower than 2% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 14.6% | 9.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 6th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Chester. Lower than 2% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 43.2% | 24.2%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 7th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Chester. Lower than 30% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 25.1 | 22.9 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 7th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Chester. Lower than 28% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.9% | 7.2% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded7 pupils | 0.99% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chester. Higher than 6% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 13.9 | 16.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 6th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chester. Higher than 5% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.0 | 11.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chester. Higher than 87% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 22.8% | 11.7%* | 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
- The Queen's School 1.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 62% A*/A at A level
- Chester International School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 23% grade 5+ English and maths
- Queen's Park High School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Catholic High School, Chester 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- Upton-by-Chester High School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2025 · 43% grade 5+ English and maths
- The King's School 2.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 60% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College's Ofsted rating?
Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 12 May 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 2 expected, 4 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
How did Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 17% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 28 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College?
50% of the 54 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 74 families put Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College as their first choice for 78 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 74 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 111396.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- 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.