Great Sankey High School
96%
Capacity
2,087
Pupils
1.9x
Demand
About Great Sankey High School
Great Sankey High School is a state-funded Does not apply secondary school serving the Warrington community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 2,087 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (96% of 2,175 places).
Ofsted has rated Great Sankey High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Gary Evans, it falls under Warrington local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.32 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 49.2. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 2283rd out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 9th out of 13 in Warrington.
Great Sankey High School is a popular choice with families — it received 635 applications for 337 places, making it 1.9x oversubscribed. Of these, 310 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 Great Sankey High School include Sixth Form Centre, Dining Hall, Gymnasium, Tennis Courts, Astro Turf, Playing Fields, ICT Suite, Art Studios, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Netball, Dance, Football, Basketball and 6 more, as well as clubs including Young Enterprise, Chess, Art Club, Book Club and 6 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 10.2%, which is well below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Warrington, Great Sankey High School 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 | Barrow Hall Lane, Warrington, Warrington, WA5 3AA |
| Headteacher | Gary Evans |
| Local Authority | Warrington |
| Number of Pupils | 2,087 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 10.2% |
| School Capacity | 2,087 / 2,175 (96% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
29 Mar 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (29 Mar 2023): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 17 Oct 2017. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.32)
2283rd of 3,141
Nationally
286th of 445
In North West
9th of 13
In Warrington
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make 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
35.1
'22/23
31.1
'23/24
33.3
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
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
20Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed337
635
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
310 families put this school as their 1st choice (49% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Great Sankey High School
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
Barrow Hall Lane, Warrington
Warrington, WA5 3AA
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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