SchoolScoresBrine Leas School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of THE CORNOVII TRUST
Audlem Road, Nantwich, CW5 7DY
01270 625663 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 20 April 2017.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 19 May 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
228 pupils in this year group.
53% — 8 points above the Cheshire East average, and 7 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire East | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 53% | 45% | 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. | 49.7 | 47.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.4 | 4.1 | 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.
214 pupils in this year group.
95% — about the same as the Cheshire East average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire East | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 95% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 50% | 40% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 5% | 7% | 13% |
| Further education college | 34% | 40% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 98% | 95% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
148 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire East | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B- | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 27% | 24% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 57% | 50% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 36.2 | 33.6 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
29 subjects, 441 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 48 | 13% | 42% | 40% |
| Law | 34 | 6% | 32% | 17% |
| Psychology | 30 | 0% | 20% | 19% |
| Business Studies:Single | 29 | 7% | 10% | 16% |
| History | 26 | 12% | 35% | 23% |
| Biology | 24 | 4% | 25% | 27% |
| Geography | 23 | 9% | 26% | 23% |
| Physics | 19 | 0% | 21% | 31% |
| Economics | 18 | 6% | 28% | 26% |
| Chemistry | 16 | 6% | 38% | 30% |
| English Literature | 16 | 25% | 44% | 23% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 16 | 6% | 13% | 17% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 15 | 40% | 60% | 26% |
| English Language and Literature | 14 | 7% | 14% | 16% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 13 | 0% | 8% | 15% |
| Religious Studies | 13 | 8% | 8% | 22% |
| Art and Design (Textiles) | 10 | 40% | 60% | 36% |
| Film Studies | 10 | 0% | 10% | 17% |
| Government and Politics | 10 | 10% | 30% | 26% |
| Sociology | 10 | 30% | 50% | 20% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 9 | 0% | 0% | 24% |
| English Language | 9 | 0% | 11% | 13% |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 7 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 7 | 0% | 43% | 59% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 7 | 0% | 0% | 14% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: French, Art and Design (Fine Art), Chinese, German.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
133 students in this year group.
95% — 16 points above the Cheshire East average, and 16 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire East | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 95% | 79% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 10% | 7% |
| Work | 23% | 36% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 95% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
150 students in this year group.
80% — 30 points above the Cheshire East average, and 20 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire East | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 80% | 50% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 33% | 14% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 83% | 80% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 East. 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 | 212 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 204 |
| Of those, offered a place | 199 (98%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 492 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 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 | Cheshire East | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 15th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Cheshire East. Higher than 17% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.0% | 18.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 18th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Cheshire East. Higher than 49% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.9% | 4.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 10th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Cheshire East. Higher than 37% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.1% | 10.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 15th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Cheshire East. Higher than 21% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.7% | 9.3%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 6th lowest of 23 state secondary schools in Cheshire East. Lower than 73% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.0% | 7.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 23 state secondary schools in Cheshire East. Lower than 79% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 17.2% | 20.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 10th lowest of 23 state secondary schools in Cheshire East. Lower than 56% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.5 | 17.8 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 10th lowest of 23 state secondary schools in Cheshire East. Lower than 69% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.5% | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.19% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 4th highest of 22 state secondary schools in Cheshire East. Higher than 67% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.6 | 16.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 11th highest of 22 state secondary schools in Cheshire East. Higher than 47% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.7 | 11.6 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 11th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Cheshire East. Higher than 39% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6% | 12.1%* | 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
- Malbank School and Sixth Form College 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022, before conversion) · 32% grade 5+ English and maths
- Shavington Academy 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 43% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Brine Leas School's Ofsted rating?
Brine Leas School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 20 April 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 19 May 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Brine Leas School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 53% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 7 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Brine Leas School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 204 families put Brine Leas School as their first choice for 212 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 199 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 136279.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.