Riverside College Halton
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Capacity
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Pupils
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Demand
About Riverside College Halton
Riverside College Halton is a state-funded 16-99 mixed secondary in Halton, North West, led by headteacher Mary Murphy. With a school capacity of 175, its intake is notably small compared to many secondaries in the area. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 62.1%, which is significantly above the national average and suggests the school serves a community with higher-than-average economic disadvantage. Admission information is not provided in the data, so it is unclear how oversubscribed the college is or what the typical demand looks like. The school does not offer boarding or nursery provision, and its religious character is listed as 'Does not apply'. For families considering post-16 options in Halton, this college presents a focused, local choice with a specific demographic profile that may appeal to those seeking a smaller, community-oriented setting.
Academically, Riverside College Halton holds a Good rating from its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022, maintaining the same overall effectiveness grade as its previous inspection in 2012. The inspection breakdown shows notable strengths: personal development and behaviour and attitudes both received Outstanding grades, while quality of education, sixth-form provision, and leadership and management were all rated Good. No specific exam results such as Progress 8 scores or A-Level outcomes are available in the data, so direct academic comparison with other schools is limited. However, the local authority average Progress 8 score for Halton is -0.57, which provides a benchmark for context. The college's nearest Outstanding-rated school is Wade Deacon High School, located 1.2 km away, which may be a consideration for families weighing academic options.
The school offers a range of facilities including a sports hall, art studios, tennis courts, library, dining hall, theatre, gymnasium, astro turf, and a chapel. Sports on offer include tennis, athletics, rugby, football, cricket, rowing, and dance, while extracurricular clubs cover coding, chess, art, debate, science, orchestra, and gardening. For pupils with special educational needs, the school provides support for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. This breadth of SEND provision, combined with the small capacity and strong Ofsted grades for personal development and behaviour, suggests Riverside College Halton may particularly suit families looking for a supportive post-16 environment with a focus on individual growth and a wide range of enrichment activities.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 16 to 99 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Kingsway, Widnes, Halton, WA8 7QQ |
| Headteacher | Mary Murphy |
| Local Authority | Halton |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 62.1% |
| School Capacity | 175 |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
29 Mar 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 15 Jun 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
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
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
School day
Teaching hours
09:00 – 16:30
Source: riversidecollege.ac.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Among the highest-disadvantage schools.
Among the highest 25% — a diverse linguistic intake.
Ethnic background
- White (other)23.1%
- Mixed9.3%
- Asian9.3%
- White British7.5%
- Black4.6%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
12
Total schools
7
Oversubscribed
6
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Riverside College Halton
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
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications
Contact Information
Kingsway, Widnes
Halton, WA8 7QQ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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