SchoolScoresWest Derby School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Boys only · Sixth form
Part of WEST DERBY SCHOOL
364 West Derby Rd, Liverpool, L13 7HQ
0151 235 1300 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 4 May 2023.
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 |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
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.
42% — 4 points above the Liverpool average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 42% | 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. | 42 | 42.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.8 | 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.
171 pupils in this year group.
89% — about the same as the Liverpool average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 89% | 88% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 34% | 46% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 5% | 5% | 13% |
| Further education college | 46% | 30% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 89% |
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
43 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 29% | 27% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 46% | 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. | 33.3 | 34.1 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
13 subjects, 101 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 16 | 6% | 50% | 40% |
| Physics | 14 | 0% | 50% | 31% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 13 | 0% | 0% | 15% |
| Chemistry | 12 | 8% | 25% | 30% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 11 | 0% | 18% | 26% |
| Art and Design (Graphics) | 9 | 0% | 22% | 32% |
| Biology | 7 | 0% | 0% | 27% |
| English Language and Literature | 6 | 17% | 17% | 16% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: History, Mathematics (Further), Government and Politics, Arabic, Portuguese.
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.
62 students in this year group.
82% — 3 points above the Liverpool average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 82% | 79% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 19% | 22% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 82% |
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.
60 students in this year group.
72% — 6 points above the Liverpool average, and 12 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 72% | 66% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 28% | 19% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 66% | 72% |
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 about 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 174 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 200 |
| Of those, offered a place | 134 (67%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 515 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.8 · 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 | Liverpool | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 18th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 79% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 41.7% | 38.7%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 30th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 49% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.9% | 3.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 14th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 88% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.3% | 17.4%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 21st highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 52% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.8% | 18.0%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 14th lowest of 43 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Lower than 39% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.0% | 9.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) Joint 14th lowest of 43 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Lower than 52% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 23.2% | 26.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 17th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Lower than 64% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.9 | 32.9 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 22nd lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Lower than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.3% | 10.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded9 pupils | 0.90% | 0.51% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 14th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 54% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.0 | 16.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 8th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 85% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.6 | 11.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 39th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Liverpool. Higher than 11% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 6.8% | 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
- Holly Lodge Girls' College 0.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Edward's College 0.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 62% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Academy of St Francis of Assisi 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 23% grade 5+ English and maths
- Dixons Broadgreen Academy 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 21% grade 5+ English and maths
- Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 3 expected, 1 needs attention · 29% grade 5+ English and maths
- King's Leadership Academy Wavertree 1.5 miles · Ofsted: No graded inspection
- Broughton Hall Catholic High School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 24% grade 5+ English and maths
- Dixons Croxteth Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 4 expected, 1 needs attention · 16% grade 5+ English and maths
- North Liverpool Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- St John Bosco Arts College 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 2 needs attention · 20% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is West Derby School's Ofsted rating?
West Derby School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 4 May 2023.
How did West Derby School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 42% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 3 points below the England average of 45%.
Is West Derby School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 200 families put West Derby School as their first choice for 174 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 134 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 138696.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.