SchoolScoresPensby High School
Foundation school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Irby Road, Heswall, Wirral, CH61 6XN
0151 342 0570 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 17 January 2018.
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 | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 23 March 2023: 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
171 pupils in this year group.
43% — 1 points below the Wirral average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wirral | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 43% | 44% | 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. | 44.8 | 45.3 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.7 | 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.
157 pupils in this year group.
89% — 2 points below the Wirral average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wirral | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 89% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 5% | 38% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 48% | 19% | 13% |
| Further education college | 25% | 25% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 89% |
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 Wirral. 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 | 173 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 165 |
| Of those, offered a place | 159 (96%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 601 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 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 | Wirral | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 6th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 41% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 23.6% | 31.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 6th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 28% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.1% | 3.6%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 69% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4% | 15.0%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 9th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 13% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.2% | 6.6%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 6th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Lower than 61% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.7% | 9.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 6th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Lower than 63% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 20.8% | 24.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 6th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Lower than 64% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.8 | 12.9 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Lower than 59% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.7% | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.33% | 0.18% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 78% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.2 | 15.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 6th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 72% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.8 | 10.8 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Wirral. Higher than 46% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.6% | 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.
Nearby secondary schools
- Calday Grange Grammar School 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2024 · 93% grade 5+ English and maths
- Woodchurch High School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 28% grade 5+ English and maths
- Upton Hall School FCJ 3.0 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 88% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hilbre High School 3.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 expected, 6 needs attention · 25% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Pensby High School's Ofsted rating?
Pensby High School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 17 January 2018. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 23 March 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Pensby High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 43% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 3 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Pensby High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 165 families put Pensby High School as their first choice for 173 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 159 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 105101.
- 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.