Penketh High School

About Penketh High School

Penketh High School is rated Good overall by Ofsted, a rating it has held across both its most recent graded inspection in 2020 and an ungraded inspection in May 2025, which confirmed that standards have been maintained. The school’s Progress 8 score of -0.22 places it in the ‘Average’ band nationally, meaning pupils make progress broadly in line with the national average. That score sits slightly above the Warrington local authority average of -0.29, so the school is performing a touch better than the typical secondary in its borough. In the local rankings, Penketh sits 7th out of 13 secondary schools in Warrington and 246th out of 445 in the North West region. Nationally, it ranks in the 65th percentile, placing it comfortably in the middle of the pack among all state secondary schools.

Looking more closely at the exam data from 2023/24, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 45.5, which reflects the average grade across eight subjects. The basics measure — the proportion of pupils achieving a grade 5 or above in English and maths — came in at 44.1 per cent, while the grade 4 or above threshold was 63.4 per cent. The school has a strong focus on the English Baccalaureate, with 69.6 per cent of pupils entered for EBacc subjects, though only 24.8 per cent achieved a grade 5 or above across that combination. The EBacc average point score was 4.18. Parent feedback is very positive: 80 per cent of respondents would recommend the school, and large majorities agreed that their child is happy, feels safe, and that the school has high expectations. The strongest parent satisfaction came on the range of subjects available and the clubs and activities on offer.

The school is heavily oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, there were 548 applications for 220 places, a ratio of 2.49 applicants per place, and all 200 first-preference applicants were offered a spot. Penketh has a broad range of facilities including a swimming pool, theatre, astro turf, tennis courts, and a sports hall, and offers a wide array of clubs from Model UN and debate to coding, choir, and chess. Sports provision is equally varied, with rowing, martial arts, and dance alongside more traditional options. The school supports a wide range of SEND needs, including a resourced provision, and caters for conditions such as autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. With 27.9 per cent of pupils eligible for free school meals, it serves a diverse intake. Penketh is a solid, improving secondary that suits families looking for a strong state option in Warrington, particularly those who value a broad extracurricular programme and a school that has demonstrably turned around its performance.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Penketh High School

Helpful Guides for Parents