St Margaret's CofE Academy

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Boys only · Church of England · Sixth form

Part of THE LIVERPOOL JOINT CATHOLIC AND CHURCH OF ENGLAND ACADEMIES TRUST

Aigburth Road, Liverpool, L17 6AB

0151 427 1825 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 30 April 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths54%England 45% · 2024/25
9th highest of 41 state secondary schools in Liverpool.
Higher than 73% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,000Room for 1,050 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 996 in 2019, 1,061 in 2021, 1,036 in 2022, 1,026 in 2023, 995 in 2024, 964 in 2025, 1,000 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place0.7136 for 186 places, September 2026
27th highest of 41 state secondary schools in Liverpool.
Higher than 18% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 30 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.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

197 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.

Liverpool comparisons use the 19 of its 46 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 27 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.

StatementThis schoolLiverpoolEngland
My child is happy at this school
10th highest of 19 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Liverpool.
Higher than 44% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
81% 78% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
8th highest of 19 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Liverpool.
Higher than 49% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
86% 81% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
Joint 13th highest of 19 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Liverpool.
Higher than 32% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
70% 74% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 72 parents whose child had been bullied
9th highest of 17 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Liverpool.
Higher than 39% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
46% 42% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 155 parents who had raised a concern
10th highest of 18 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Liverpool.
Higher than 35% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
64% 63% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
13th highest of 19 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Liverpool.
Higher than 28% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
69%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. Liverpool figures pool parents at the Liverpool 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.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

171 pupils in this year group.

54% — 16 points above the Liverpool average, and 9 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolLiverpoolEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 54% 38% 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. 49.6 42.1 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.0 3.6 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 57%This school 2023/24: 60%This school 2024/25: 54% This school England 45% 2022/23 57% 2023/24 60% 2024/25 54%

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.

159 pupils in this year group.

94% — 6 points above the Liverpool average, and 2 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 55%24%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolLiverpoolEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 94% 88% 92%
School sixth form 55% 46% 34%
Sixth form college 9% 5% 13%
Further education college 24% 30% 37%
Apprenticeship 6% 3% 3%
Work 0% 2% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
96%94%

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

62 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolLiverpoolEngland
Average A level grade C C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 18% 27% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 45% 52% 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. 31.3 34.1 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 29.6This school 2023/24: 32.2This school 2024/25: 31.3 This school England 35 2022/23 29.6 2023/24 32.2 2024/25 31.3

A level subjects, 2024/25

16 subjects, 149 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 23 4% 26% 40%
History 16 0% 25% 23%
Biology 15 0% 33% 27%
Business Studies:Single 15 7% 13% 16%
Government and Politics 14 0% 7% 26%
Chemistry 13 0% 46% 30%
Design and Technology (Product Design) 9 0% 0% 15%
Physics 9 0% 11% 31%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 7 0% 0% 17%
Psychology 7 0% 14% 19%
Computer Studies / Computing 6 0% 0% 24%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Fine Art), Art and Design (Photography), English Literature, Mathematics (Further), Religious Studies.

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.

105 students in this year group.

87% — 8 points above the Liverpool average, and 8 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolLiverpoolEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 87% 79% 79%
Apprenticeship 11% 6% 7%
Work 15% 22% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
91%87%

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.

93 students in this year group.

68% — 2 points above the Liverpool average, and 8 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolLiverpoolEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 68% 66% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 17% 19% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
69%68%

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 Liverpool. 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 offered186
Families who put it first136
Of those, offered a place104 (76%)
Families who listed it at all580

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.6 · 2025: 0.6 · 2026: 0.7

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.

This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.

Admissions dates and schools in Liverpool

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolLiverpoolEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
34th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool.
Higher than 37% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
22.2% 38.7%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
27th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool.
Higher than 54% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
3.1% 3.9%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
7th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool.
Higher than 92% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
22.1% 17.4%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
13th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool.
Higher than 69% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
21.3% 18.0%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
7th lowest of 43 state secondary schools in Liverpool.
Lower than 70% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
7.2% 9.6%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
6th lowest of 43 state secondary schools in Liverpool.
Lower than 78% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
17.3% 26.0%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
28th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool.
Lower than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
16.7 32.9 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
23rd lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool.
Lower than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
7.4% 10.1% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils 0.41% 0.51% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
Joint 12th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Liverpool.
Higher than 56% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
17.1 16.2 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
6th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Liverpool.
Higher than 87% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
13.8 11.7 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
Joint 14th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool.
Higher than 69% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
16.9% 13.6%* 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

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is St Margaret's CofE Academy's Ofsted rating?

St Margaret's CofE Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 30 April 2024.

How did St Margaret's CofE Academy do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 54% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 9 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend St Margaret's CofE Academy?

69% of the 197 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend St Margaret's CofE Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is St Margaret's CofE Academy oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 136 families put St Margaret's CofE Academy as their first choice for 186 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 104 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.