Rainhill High School
117%
Capacity
1,810
Pupils
1.9x
Demand
About Rainhill High School
Rainhill High School is a state-funded None secondary school serving the St. Helens community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,810 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (117% of 1,550 places).
Ofsted has rated Rainhill High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Josie Thorogood, it falls under St. Helens local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.12 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 47.3. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C. Additionally, ranked 1821st out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 5th out of 9 in St. Helens.
Rainhill High School is a popular choice with families — it received 548 applications for 291 places, making it 1.9x oversubscribed. Of these, 279 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 Rainhill High School include Science Labs, Art Studios, Dining Hall, Sports Hall, Sixth Form Centre, Swimming Pool, Astro Turf, ICT Suite.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Tennis, Rowing, Hockey, Gymnastics and 4 more, as well as clubs including Art Club, Book Club, Drama, Eco Club and 5 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 15.5%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in St. Helens, Rainhill 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 | None |
| Address | Warrington Road, Prescot, St. Helens, L35 6NY |
| Headteacher | Josie Thorogood |
| Local Authority | St. Helens |
| Number of Pupils | 1,810 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 15.5% |
| School Capacity | 1,810 / 1,550 (117% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
22 Feb 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 26 Apr 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.12)
1821st of 3,141
Nationally
211th of 445
In North West
5th of 9
In St. Helens
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make similar progress to students nationally with the same starting point
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
37.4
'22/23
31.2
'23/24
28.7
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
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed291
548
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
279 families put this school as their 1st choice (51% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rainhill 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
Warrington Road, Prescot
St. Helens, L35 6NY
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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