The Oldershaw School

About The Oldershaw School

The Oldershaw School sits in the Wirral local authority, a secondary mixed state school for pupils aged 11 to 18. In the local rankings for Progress 8, it places 20th out of 20 schools in its category, putting it at the very bottom of the table. For context, the top-performing peers in the area are Upton Hall School FCJ, Birkenhead High School Academy, and West Kirby Grammar School, all of which achieve positive Progress 8 scores. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, conducted in April 2025, rated it Inadequate overall, a significant drop from its previous Good rating in 2022. The inspection found quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management all to be Inadequate, with personal development rated Requires improvement. The sixth form provision was also judged Inadequate. This is a school that has clearly experienced a sharp decline in standards, and parents considering it will want to understand what is being done to address these concerns.

Academically, the school’s results paint a challenging picture. Its Progress 8 score is -1.24, which is well below average and significantly worse than the Wirral local authority average of -0.12. The Attainment 8 score sits at 27.9, and only 12.8 per cent of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. The EBacc average point score is 2.31, with just 2.4 per cent of pupils entering and achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above. In the sixth form, the value added score is -0.14, which is rated as average, and the average points per entry is 22.11, equivalent to a D+ grade. Nationally, the school ranks 3074th out of 3141 schools for Progress 8, placing it in the bottom 2 per cent. These figures suggest that the school is struggling to support pupils to make expected progress, particularly in English and maths.

The school has a capacity of 1111 but currently has 825 pupils on roll, and it was oversubscribed for the 2025/26 academic year, with 299 applications for 158 places and 157 first-preference offers. A high proportion of pupils, 61.5 per cent, are eligible for free school meals, which is well above the national average. The school offers a range of facilities including a swimming pool, theatre, and sixth form centre, and runs clubs such as Drama, DofE, and Model UN. It has a broad set of SEND provisions, including support for autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and social and emotional mental health. However, the Parent View responses from 14 respondents are overwhelmingly negative: 71 per cent would not recommend the school, and only 29 per cent would. Strong disagreement was high across most questions, particularly around behaviour, safety, and SEND support. This is a school that will suit families who are aware of its current challenges and are looking for a local option with a sixth form, but it is one that requires very careful consideration.

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