Located in Winsford, The Winsford Academy is a secondary school, serving pupils aged 11 to 16. The school is a academy sponsor led and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.

The Winsford Academy currently has around 1023 pupils on roll, which is about 78% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 50.8% boys and 49.2% girls. Around 43.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The school has a diverse intake across different backgrounds and needs.

Overall absence at the school is 18%. Persistent absence is recorded at 52.1%.

The majority of pupils are from a white british background (88.1%).

Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.

Around 88% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (74%) , including 2% who stay in school sixth forms and 63% progressing to further education , while 5% enter apprenticeships .

School Information

Address: Grange Lane, Winsford, CW7 2BT
Website: http://winsford.academy/
Telephone: 01606592300
School Type: Academy sponsor led
Education phase: Secondary
Local authority: Cheshire West and Chester
Headteacher / Principal: Ms Emma-Jane McLaren
Religious character: Does not apply
Admissions policy: Non-selective
Unique reference: 136184

Map

Ofsted Inspection

  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Management effectiveness

Ofsted inspection date: 15/07/2025

Safeguarding is effective

Pupils

General

Age Range: 11 - 16
Gender: Mixed
School Capacity: 1312
Number of Pupils: 1023
Number of Boys: 520
Number of Girls: 503

Absence

SchoolEngland state-funded schools:
Overall absence: 18% 4%
Persistent absence: 52.1% 8.2%

Ethnicity

White British88.10%901
Unclassified4.20%43
Other White1.70%17
Other Asian1.20%12
Other Mixed0.80%8
Indian0.80%8
Irish0.60%6
African0.50%5
Caribbean0.40%4
White and Black African0.30%3
White and Asian0.30%3
Other (any other ethnic group)0.20%2
Other Black0.20%2
Pakistani0.20%2
Chinese0.20%2
Gypsy/Roma0.20%2
Bangladeshi0.10%1
White and Black Caribbean0.10%1
Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage)0.10%1

Education - Secondary

Progress 8 score

Progress 8: Well below average (-0.85)
Of the 178 pupils at the end of key stage 4 in this school, 175 are included in this measure.
Progress 8 score (average over pupils)
School
-0.85
Local authority average
0.14
England average
-0.03
Entering EBacc
School
30%
Local authority average
37%
England average
35%
Grade 5+ in English & maths GCSEs
School
21%
Local authority average
54%
England average
41%
Attainment 8 score
School
33.2
Local authority average
50.0
England average
44.6
EBacc average point score
School
2.8
Local authority average
4.3
England average
3.9
Staying in education or employment
School
88%

Nearby Schools

Primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Grange Community Primary School
Brindley Avenue , CW7 2EG
- not rated 370 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School
Grange Community Nursery and Primary School
Brindley Avenue , CW7 2EG
3out of 4 378 yd Academy sponsor led Yes Mixed More About School
Winsford High Street Community Primary School
High Street , CW7 2AU
3out of 4 531 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School
Over St John's CofE Primary School
Delamere Street , CW7 2LU
3out of 4 695 yd Voluntary controlled school No Mixed More About School
St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School
Woodford Lane , CW7 2JS
- not rated 822 yd Voluntary aided school Yes Mixed More About School

Secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Woodford Lodge High School
Woodford Lane West , CW7 4EH
- not rated 1,945 yd Community school Not Applicable Mixed More About School

Not applicable

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Oaklands School
Montgomery Way , CW7 1NU
4out of 4 1,489 yd Community special school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Jefferson House
The Old Vicarage , Darnhall School Lane CW7 1JT
- not rated 1,890 yd Other independent school No Boys More About School
Hebden Green Community School
Woodford Lane West , CW7 4EJ
4out of 4 2,109 yd Academy special converter Yes Mixed More About School
Hebden Green Community School
Woodford Lane West , CW7 4EJ
- not rated 2,109 yd Community special school Yes Mixed More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.