SchoolScoresNorth Cestrian School
Free school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed
Part of THE HAMBLIN EDUCATION TRUST
Dunham Road, Altrincham, WA14 4AJ
0161 928 1856 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 6 March 2019.
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 | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 20 November 2024: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
143 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Trafford comparisons use the 10 of its 19 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 9 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 | Trafford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 8th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Trafford. Higher than 44% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 87% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 8th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Trafford. Higher than 30% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 89% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 8th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Trafford. Higher than 41% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74% | 83% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 59 parents whose child had been bullied 7th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Trafford. Higher than 48% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 49% | 51% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 115 parents who had raised a concern Joint 6th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Trafford. Higher than 48% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70% | 74% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 58 parents of children with SEND 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Trafford. Higher than 46% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 60% | 67% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 8th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Trafford. Higher than 46% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 78%said yes | 85% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 18%). 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. Trafford figures pool parents at the Trafford 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
148 pupils in this year group.
60% — 4 points below the Trafford average, and 15 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Trafford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 60% | 64% | 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. | 54.2 | 57.9 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.6 | 5.2 | 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.
92% — 3 points below the Trafford average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Trafford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 92% | 95% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 34% | 42% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 12% | 20% | 13% |
| Further education college | 41% | 27% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 92% |
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 Trafford. 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 | 175 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 112 |
| Of those, offered a place | 89 (79%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 1,047 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.6
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 | Trafford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools in Altrincham. Higher than 23% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.8% | 17.2%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools in Altrincham. Higher than 86% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.2% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Altrincham. Higher than 20% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.7% | 10.7%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools in Altrincham. Higher than 77% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 28.2% | 20.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 8th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Altrincham. Lower than 57% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.9% | 6.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Altrincham. Lower than 61% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 21.2% | 14.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 8th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Altrincham. Lower than 68% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.6 | 6.8 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 8th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Altrincham. Lower than 57% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.9% | 3.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils | 0.51% | 0.23% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 7th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Altrincham. Higher than 41% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 8th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Altrincham. Higher than 24% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.6 | 12.2 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 8 state secondary schools in Altrincham. Higher than 94% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 28.2% | 11.5%* | 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
- Loreto Grammar School 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 92% grade 5+ English and maths
- Altrincham Grammar School for Girls 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 100% grade 5+ English and maths
- Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College 0.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- Altrincham Grammar School for Boys 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 99% grade 5+ English and maths
- Wellington School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 63% grade 5+ English and maths
- Altrincham College 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 5 expected · 48% grade 5+ English and maths
- Saint Ambrose College 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 2 exceptional, 5 strong · 98% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ashton-on-Mersey School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 58% grade 5+ English and maths
- Dixons Brooklands Academy 2.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 19% grade 5+ English and maths
- Sale Grammar School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 97% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is North Cestrian School's Ofsted rating?
North Cestrian School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 March 2019. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 20 November 2024, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did North Cestrian School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 60% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 15 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend North Cestrian School?
78% of the 143 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend North Cestrian School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is North Cestrian School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 112 families put North Cestrian School as their first choice for 175 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 89 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 143104.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- 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.