SchoolScoresSandymoor Ormiston Academy
Free school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed
Part of ORMISTON ACADEMIES TRUST
Sandymoor Ormiston Academy, Wharford Lane, Runcorn, WA7 1QU
01928 571217 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 17 April 2024.
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.
What parents say
159 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Runcorn comparisons use the 3 of its 5 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 2 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 | Runcorn | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Runcorn. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 78% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Runcorn. Higher than 61% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 83% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Runcorn. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 72% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 53 parents whose child had been bullied 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Halton. Higher than 48% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 49% | – | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 121 parents who had raised a concern 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Runcorn. Higher than 45% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 61% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Runcorn. Higher than 48% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79%said yes | 72% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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. Runcorn figures pool parents at the Runcorn 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
102 pupils in this year group.
43% — 4 points above the Halton average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Halton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 43% | 39% | 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. | 44.4 | 42.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.9 | 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.
101 pupils in this year group.
87% — 5 points below the Halton average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Halton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 87% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 2% | 6% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 25% | 9% | 13% |
| Further education college | 51% | 69% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 87% |
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 Halton. 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 | 148 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 158 |
| Of those, offered a place | 147 (93%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 312 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.1
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 | Halton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Runcorn. Higher than 52% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 27.9% | 42.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Runcorn. Higher than 75% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.2% | 3.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Runcorn. Higher than 46% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.0% | 14.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Runcorn. Higher than 18% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.2% | 4.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Runcorn. Lower than 37% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.1% | 9.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Runcorn. Lower than 38% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 25.9% | 28.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Runcorn. Lower than 56% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.5 | 20.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Runcorn. Lower than 60% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.5% | 8.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.50% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Runcorn. Higher than 43% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.5 | 16.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Runcorn. Higher than 25% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.7 | 10.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Runcorn. Higher than 15% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 7.7% | 13.0%* | 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
- Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 expected, 4 needs attention · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Grange School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 24% grade 5+ English and maths
- Blessed Carlo Acutis Catholic and CofE Academy 2.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 19% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Sandymoor Ormiston Academy's Ofsted rating?
Sandymoor Ormiston Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 17 April 2024.
How did Sandymoor Ormiston Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 43% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 2 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Sandymoor Ormiston Academy?
79% of the 159 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Sandymoor Ormiston Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Sandymoor Ormiston Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 158 families put Sandymoor Ormiston Academy as their first choice for 148 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 147 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 147683.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 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.