SchoolScoresCowley International College
Community school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Hard Lane, St Helens, WA10 6PN
01744 678030 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 10 March 2026 , published 30 April 2026.
In short: 2 expected, 5 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. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Post-16 provisionSixth form or other study after 16. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
93 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
| Statement | This school | England |
|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Higher than 16% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 60% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school Higher than 16% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 65% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Higher than 20% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 56% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 38 parents whose child had been bullied Higher than 12% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 26% | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 84 parents who had raised a concern Higher than 15% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 49% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 28 parents of children with SEND Higher than 5% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 25% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Higher than 14% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 58%said yes | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 6%). 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. 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. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
240 pupils in this year group.
30% — 6 points below the St. Helens average, and 15 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | St. Helens | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 30% | 36% | 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. | 39.3 | 41.8 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.5 | 3.6 | 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.
245 pupils in this year group.
84% — 4 points below the St. Helens average, and 8 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | St. Helens | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 84% | 88% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 39% | 18% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 7% | 25% | 13% |
| Further education college | 33% | 37% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 84% |
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
73 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | St. Helens | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C- | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 11% | 12% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 31% | 31% | 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. | 25.3 | 36.6 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
21 subjects, 151 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | 19 | 0% | 11% | 30% |
| Psychology | 19 | 5% | 11% | 19% |
| Mathematics | 18 | 0% | 11% | 40% |
| Biology | 13 | 0% | 15% | 27% |
| Sociology | 10 | 0% | 30% | 20% |
| History | 9 | 0% | 11% | 23% |
| Physics | 9 | 0% | 11% | 31% |
| English Language | 8 | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| Religious Studies | 7 | 0% | 0% | 22% |
| Geography | 6 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 6 | 0% | 17% | 17% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Fine Art), Law, Business Studies:Single, Government and Politics, Art and Design (Photography), English Literature, French, Polish, Chinese, Italian.
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.
127 students in this year group.
83% — 9 points above the St. Helens average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | St. Helens | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 83% | 74% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 11% | 9% | 7% |
| Work | 24% | 27% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 82% | 83% |
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.
136 students in this year group.
55% — 4 points below the St. Helens average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | St. Helens | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 55% | 59% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 7% | 17% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 64% | 55% |
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 St. Helens. 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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 243 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 213 |
| Of those, offered a place | 213 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 481 |
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 | St. Helens | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in St Helens. Higher than 79% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 41.9% | 30.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools in St Helens. Higher than 62% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.5% | 4.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 6th highest of 7 state secondary schools in St Helens. Higher than 73% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.0% | 17.8%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in St Helens. Higher than 33% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.1% | 5.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 6th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in St Helens. Lower than 6% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 12.6% | 8.9%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 6th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in St Helens. Lower than 19% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 30.1% | 23.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in St Helens. Lower than 15% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 40.9 | 31.8 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 5th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in St Helens. Lower than 23% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.8% | 9.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded10 pupils | 0.67% | 0.39% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 4th highest of 7 state secondary schools in St Helens. Higher than 39% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.3 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in St Helens. Higher than 33% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.1 | 11.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 2nd highest of 7 state secondary schools in St Helens. Higher than 75% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 18.5% | 17.0%* | 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
- De La Salle School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023, before conversion)
- St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 28% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · 25% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Sutton Academy 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 4 expected · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- Outwood Academy Haydock 3.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Cowley International College's Ofsted rating?
Cowley International College was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 10 March 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 2 expected, 5 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
How did Cowley International College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 30% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 15 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Cowley International College?
58% of the 93 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Cowley International College to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Cowley International College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 213 families put Cowley International College as their first choice for 243 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 213 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 104829.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 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.