Best 3 Secondary schools in St. Helens – comparison

Comparison of secondary schools: Rainhill High School (Secondary) in Prescot; The Sutton Academy (Secondary) in St Helens; Cowley International College (Secondary) in St Helens — covering Ofsted outcomes, size, FSM%, governance, capacity & more.

At a glance

This page compares Rainhill High School, The Sutton Academy and Cowley International College. They are secondary phase and academy converter, academy sponsor led and community school type located around Prescot, Merseyside and St Helens, Merseyside. The strongest headline Ofsted judgement here is 2 (Rainhill High School), published Apr 2023. The most recent inspection on record is for Rainhill High School (Apr 2023). average roll around ≈ 1,600, combined total ≈ 4,750, typical FSM 30–35%, range 15–20%–40–45%; spread across trusts such as STEPHENSON MULTI ACADEMY TRUST and The Challenge Academy Trust.

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Phase / Type
Secondary • Academy converter
Location
Prescot
Merseyside
L35 6NY
Ofsted
2 26 Apr 2023
Pupils
≈ 1,800 🔒 Exact value
FSM %
15–20% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA
STEPHENSON MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Website
www.rainhillhighschool.org.uk
Telephone
01744677205
Phase / Type
Secondary • Academy sponsor led
Location
St Helens
Merseyside
WA9 5AU
Ofsted
2 17 Jul 2022
Pupils
≈ 1,450 🔒 Exact value
FSM %
35–40% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA
The Challenge Academy Trust
Website
www.thesuttonacademy.org.uk
Telephone
01744678859
Phase / Type
Secondary • Community school
Location
St Helens
Merseyside
WA10 6PN
Ofsted
2 22 Nov 2016
Pupils
≈ 1,500 🔒 Exact value
FSM %
40–45% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA
St. Helens (342)
Website
www.cowley.st-helens.sch.uk
Telephone
01744678030
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Map of compared schools

How are these comparisons built?
We line up public school data side-by-side. Ofsted “headline” judgement is shown with the publication date when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; everyone sees rounded values.
What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?
Ungraded visits (Section 8) check whether the previous graded judgement still stands, but do not replace it. We keep the latest graded judgement as the headline until a new graded inspection is published.
Why can’t I see exact numbers?
To keep the service sustainable, we show approximate pupils and bucketed FSM% to free users. Upgrade to AllSchools Pro to unlock precise figures and exports.
How should I choose a school?
Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then check whether it aligns with your child’s needs. Look at distance and travel, typical class sizes (roll vs capacity), and the school’s admissions policy. Speak to the school, arrange a visit, and ask about pastoral support and enrichment.
What should I look for when comparing schools?
Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; scan capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and review trust/local authority for governance. If available, read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding detail.
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