Classpot

Sandymoor Ormiston Academy

Halton, WA7 1QUSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Apr 2024
Progress 8
-0.48
Below average
−20+2
Competition
1.1×
Oversubscribed
125 1st-choice / 118 places
Ranking
#2,573
of 3,141 nationally

About Sandymoor Ormiston Academy

Sandymoor Ormiston Academy is a mixed secondary school in Halton that is running very close to full capacity, with 599 pupils on roll against a published capacity of 600. The school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage: 26.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, compared with the national secondary average of around 23%. Demand for places is strong — for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 260 applications for 118 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.2. Of those, 125 were first-preference applications, and 113 first-preference offers were made, meaning most families who put Sandymoor first were successful, but competition is real. The school is part of the Ormiston Academies Trust and has no religious character. Headteacher Linsey Hand leads a school that has undergone a significant turnaround since its previous Ofsted inspection.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressSandymoor Ormiston Academy, Runcorn, Halton, WA7 1QU
HeadteacherLinsey Hand
Local AuthorityHalton
Number of Pupils599
Free School Meals (FSM)26.7%
School Capacity599 / 600 (100% full)

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

17 Apr 2024
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good

Source: Ofsted, 20 May 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

12
LibrarySwimming PoolPlaying FieldsICT SuiteAstro TurfMusic RoomsSports HallScience LabsDining HallGymnasiumSixth Form CentreTennis Courts

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

13

Sports

TennisCricketMartial ArtsAthleticsHockeyRowingNetball

Clubs & Activities

Young EnterpriseChessDebateNewspaperCodingChoir

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Sandymoor Ormiston Academy

Sandymoor Ormiston Academy has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.