Best 3 Secondary schools in St. Helens – comparison

Q: How are these comparisons built?

We align public datasets side-by-side. Headline Ofsted judgement and publication date are shown when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; free users see rounded values.

Q: What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?

Ungraded Section 8 visits do not replace the last graded judgement. We continue to show the latest graded judgement until a new graded inspection is published.

Q: Why can’t I see exact numbers?

To keep the service sustainable, exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are Pro features. Everyone can still compare approximate values.

Q: How should I choose a school?

Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then consider distance and travel, roll versus capacity, and the admissions policy. Visit the school, ask about pastoral support and enrichment, and ensure it fits your child’s needs.

Q: What should I look for when comparing schools?

Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; review capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and look at trust or local authority governance. Read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding details.

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.

🔒 Export (Pro)

Attribute	Rainhill High School L35 6NY	The Sutton Academy WA9 5AU	Cowley International College WA10 6PN
Phase / Type	Secondary • Academy converter	Secondary • Academy sponsor led	Secondary • Community school
Location	Prescot Merseyside L35 6NY	St Helens Merseyside WA9 5AU	St Helens Merseyside WA10 6PN
Latest Ofsted	2 26 Apr 2023	2 17 Jul 2022	2 22 Nov 2016
Ofsted report	—	—	—
Pupils (roll)	≈ 1,800 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 1,450 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 1,500 🔒 Unlock exact pupils
FSM %	15–20% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	35–40% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	40–45% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %
Capacity	1550	1550	1620
Capacity utilisation	Over capacity 🔒 View exact %	Near capacity 🔒 View exact %	Near capacity 🔒 View exact %
Age range	—	—	—
Gender	Mixed	Mixed	Mixed
Admissions policy	Non-selective	Non-selective	Non-selective
Trust / Local authority	STEPHENSON MULTI ACADEMY TRUST	The Challenge Academy Trust	St. Helens (342)
Website	www.rainhillhighschool.org.uk	www.thesuttonacademy.org.uk	www.cowley.st-helens.sch.uk
Telephone	01744677205	01744678859	01744678030
SEN provision	None reported	None reported	None reported
Profile	View profile	View profile	View profile

Rainhill High School

L35 6NY

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

The Sutton Academy

WA9 5AU

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

Cowley International College

WA10 6PN

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

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.