Cowley International College
92%
Capacity
1,498
Pupils
2.3x
Demand
About Cowley International College
Cowley International College is a state-funded Does not apply secondary school serving the St. Helens community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,498 pupils on roll and is well-filled (92% of 1,620 places).
Ofsted has rated Cowley International College "Good", the school is led by headteacher Russell Cormack, it falls under St. Helens local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.69 is well below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 41.7. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C. Additionally, ranked 2832nd out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 7th out of 9 in St. Helens.
Cowley International College is a popular choice with families — it received 559 applications for 242 places, making it 2.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 236 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Cowley International College include Swimming Pool, Playing Fields, Astro Turf, Sports Hall, Dining Hall, ICT Suite, Music Rooms, Science Labs, Library, Tennis Courts, Sixth Form Centre, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rowing, Hockey, Dance, Athletics and 4 more, as well as clubs including Drama, Gardening, Young Enterprise, DofE and 3 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 40.9%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in St. Helens, Cowley International College is one of the options available in the North West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Hard Lane, St Helens, St. Helens, WA10 6PN |
| Headteacher | Russell Cormack |
| Local Authority | St. Helens |
| Number of Pupils | 1,498 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 40.9% |
| School Capacity | 1,498 / 1,620 (92% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
24 Nov 2021Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (24 Nov 2021): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 22 Nov 2016. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.69)
2832nd of 3,141
Nationally
377th of 445
In North West
7th of 9
In St. Helens
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
30.1
'22/23
26.5
'23/24
28.9
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
12Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed242
559
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
236 families put this school as their 1st choice (42% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cowley International College
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Hard Lane, St Helens
St. Helens, WA10 6PN
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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