SchoolScoresMeols Cop High School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of SOUTHPORT LEARNING TRUST
Meols Cop Road, Southport, PR8 6JS
01704 531180 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 2 February 2023. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
173 pupils in this year group.
36% — 4 points below the Sefton average, and 10 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Sefton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 36% | 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. | 44.7 | 42.9 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.8 | 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.
180 pupils in this year group.
86% — 3 points below the Sefton average, and 6 points below 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. | 86% | 89% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 3% | 25% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 74% | 53% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 86% |
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 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 175 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 206 |
| Of those, offered a place | 175 (85%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 490 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.3 · 2026: 1.2
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
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 22 places for specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia); Autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Sefton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Higher than 60% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 31.2% | 29.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Higher than 80% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.5% | 3.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Higher than 36% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.9% | 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) 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Lower than 52% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.2% | 10.1%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Lower than 52% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 23.1% | 28.2%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Lower than 73% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.5 | 14.8 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Lower than 68% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.6% | 7.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.17% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Higher than 18% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.1 | 16.6 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Higher than 11% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.8 | 11.9 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southport. Higher than 2% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 3.2% | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Christ The King Catholic High School and Sixth Form Centre 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
- Stanley High School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- Greenbank High School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 51% grade 5+ English and maths
- Birkdale High School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 strong, 2 expected · 57% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Meols Cop High School's Ofsted rating?
Meols Cop High School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 2 February 2023.
How did Meols Cop High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 36% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 10 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Meols Cop High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 206 families put Meols Cop High School as their first choice for 175 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 175 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 149828.
- 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.