SchoolScoresThe Rudheath Senior Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of NORTH WEST ACADEMIES TRUST LIMITED
Middlewich Road, Rudheath, Northwich, CW9 7DT
0160642515 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 10 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 |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 12 January 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
121 pupils in this year group.
28% — 14 points below the Cheshire West and Chester average, and 17 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 28% | 42% | 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. | 35.7 | 44.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.0 | 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.
88 pupils in this year group.
83% — 8 points below the Cheshire West and Chester average, and 9 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 83% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 0% | 32% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 16% | 15% | 13% |
| Further education college | 55% | 34% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 6% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 87% | 83% |
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 Cheshire West and Chester. 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 | 116 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 108 |
| Of those, offered a place | 108 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 167 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
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 15 places for speech, language and communication needs. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Higher than 67% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 34.6% | 22.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Higher than 78% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.4% | 3.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Higher than 83% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 19.0% | 12.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Higher than 31% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.6% | 7.0%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Lower than 7% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 12.3% | 9.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Lower than 10% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 34.0% | 24.2%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Lower than 8% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 61.0 | 22.9 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Lower than 7% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 17.6% | 7.2% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Higher than 65% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.5 | 16.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Higher than 58% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2 | 11.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Higher than 81% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 20.2% | 11.7%* | 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
- OneSchool Global Northwich 0.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Sir John Deane's Sixth Form College 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · B+ average A level grade
- The County High School, Leftwich 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 3 expected · 58% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Nicholas Catholic High School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hartford CofE High School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 56% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Grange School 2.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 55% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Rudheath Senior Academy's Ofsted rating?
The Rudheath Senior Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 10 January 2018. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 12 January 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did The Rudheath Senior Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 28% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 17 points below the England average of 45%.
Is The Rudheath Senior Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 108 families put The Rudheath Senior Academy as their first choice for 116 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 108 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 137582.
- 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.