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Liverpool’s best secondary schools 2025

Trying to find the right school for your child in Liverpool? You’re in the right place.

With so many options, many parents find themselves drowning in league tables and Ofsted reports. That’s exactly why we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Our expert team has analysed the latest 2023/2024 Department for Education data to bring you a list of the top-performing state secondary schools in Liverpool.

We show two ranking tables, one for Progress 8 and one for GCSE 9–7 results, and also provide a complete list of all secondary schools in Liverpool. This full list includes Progress 8 scores, GCSE 9–7 percentages, and Ofsted ratings where available. The schools in this table are ordered alphabetically rather than ranked, so you can easily see every school in one place, even if some data points are missing.

Top secondary schools in Liverpool by Progress 8

Liverpool Progressive School is currently ranked #1 in Liverpool based on its published Progress 8 score of +0.77. Progress 8 is a headline accountability measure used by the Department for Education to show how much progress pupils make between the end of primary school and their GCSEs, compared to students with similar prior attainment nationally.

RankSchool nameTypeGenderProgress 8Ofsted ratingGCSE 9-7%
1Liverpool Progressive SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed+0.77--
2The Academy of St NicholasAcademy sponsor ledMixed+0.54Good4.11%
3St Vincent's School - A Specialist School for Sensory Impairment and Other NeedsNon-maintained special schoolMixed+0.5Requires improvement0%
4Bluebell Park SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed+0.35Good-
5Lord Derby AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed+0.31Good7.12%
6West Derby SchoolAcademy converterBoys+0.29Good6.99%
7Range High SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.22Good16.87%
8Finch Woods AcademyAcademy special sponsor ledMixed+0.19Inadequate0%
9Liverpool CollegeAcademy sponsor ledMixed+0.17Outstanding32.74%
10Litherland High SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed+0.03Good9.15%
11Rowan Park SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed+0.01-0%
12St Margaret's Church of England AcademyAcademy converterBoys-0.04Good23.95%
13Archbishop Blanch CofE High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolGirls-0.05Outstanding29.74%
14Maricourt Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-0.05Good12.91%
15Merchant Taylors' Boys' SchoolOther independent schoolBoys-0.06-34.35%
16Maghull High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.12Good10.18%
17Kirkby High SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.15Good7.16%
18Abbot's Lea SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0.16Outstanding0%
19North Liverpool AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.2Good20.86%
20Formby High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.23Good31.31%
21Educ8 LiverpoolOther independent special schoolMixed-0.3--
22Woolton High SchoolCommunity special schoolBoys-0.34Good0%
23Auckland CollegeOther independent schoolMixed-0.36-3.17%
24King's Leadership Academy, LiverpoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.37Good8.41%
25Notre Dame Catholic CollegeVoluntary aided schoolMixed-0.41-8.29%
26Crosby High SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0.48--
27St Julie's Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolGirls-0.53Good12.28%
28Lawrence House SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-0.53--
29Sandfield Park SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0.54Outstanding0%
30St Edward's CollegeAcademy converterMixed-0.57-23.61%
31NexGen AcademyOther independent schoolMixed-0.58-0%
32Calderstones SchoolCommunity schoolMixed-0.59Good11.45%
33Sacred Heart Catholic AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.62-9.29%
34Chesterfield High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.66Good19.03%
35Deyes High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.69-13.93%
36Clifford Holroyde Specialist Sen CollegeCommunity special schoolBoys-0.76Good0%
37Dixons Fazakerley AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.83Requires improvement5.57%
38Childwall Sports & Science AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.9Good4.95%
39Progress Schools - ToxtethOther independent schoolMixed-0.92--
40St Francis Xavier's CollegeAcademy converterBoys-0.94-10.46%
41Childwall Abbey SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-1.01Good0%
42Cardinal Heenan Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolBoys-1.08Good15.11%
43St Hilda's Church of England High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-1.08Good22.72%
44Dixons Broadgreen AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-1.27-7.27%
45Palmerston SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-1.34Outstanding-
46King David High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-1.45Good33%
47Redbridge High SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-1.59Outstanding-
48Christian Fellowship SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-1.6-44.93%
49The Blue Coat SchoolAcademy converterMixed-1.63Good80.34%
50Dixons Croxteth AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-1.72Inadequate3.14%
51Olsen House SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-2.01-0%
52Bank View High SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-2.54-0.87%
53The Belvedere AcademyAcademy sponsor ledGirls-2.61-35.96%

Note: Rankings use 2023/2024 CSP data for state-funded schools and may not reflect recent changes, check school websites for the latest information.

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Top secondary schools in Liverpool by GCSE % 9–7

The Blue Coat School is currently ranked #1 in Liverpool based on the percentage of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7. This measure highlights how many pupils achieve the very top exam results, giving a clear picture of each school’s academic excellence.

RankSchool nameTypeGenderProgress 8Ofsted ratingGCSE 9-7%
1The Blue Coat SchoolAcademy converterMixed-1.63Good80.34%
2Christian Fellowship SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-1.6-44.93%
3Merchant Taylors' Girls' SchoolOther independent schoolGirls--37.25%
4The Belvedere AcademyAcademy sponsor ledGirls-2.61-35.96%
5Merchant Taylors' Boys' SchoolOther independent schoolBoys-0.06-34.35%
6King David High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-1.45Good33%
7Liverpool CollegeAcademy sponsor ledMixed+0.17Outstanding32.74%
8St. Mary's CollegeOther independent schoolMixed--31.54%
9Formby High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.23Good31.31%
10Archbishop Blanch CofE High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolGirls-0.05Outstanding29.74%
11St Margaret's Church of England AcademyAcademy converterBoys-0.04Good23.95%
12St Edward's CollegeAcademy converterMixed-0.57-23.61%
13St Hilda's Church of England High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-1.08Good22.72%
14North Liverpool AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.2Good20.86%
15Bellerive FCJ Catholic CollegeAcademy converterGirls-Good20.06%
16Chesterfield High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.66Good19.03%
17Holly Lodge Girls' CollegeCommunity schoolGirls--17.58%
18Range High SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.22Good16.87%
19Holy Family Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-Good15.31%
20Liverpool Life Sciences UTCUniversity technical collegeMixed-Good15.16%
21Cardinal Heenan Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolBoys-1.08Good15.11%
22Deyes High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.69-13.93%
23Broughton Hall Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolGirls-Good13.75%
24Maricourt Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-0.05Good12.91%
25St Julie's Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolGirls-0.53Good12.28%
26Calderstones SchoolCommunity schoolMixed-0.59Good11.45%
27Gateacre SchoolCommunity schoolMixed--10.63%
28St Francis Xavier's CollegeAcademy converterBoys-0.94-10.46%
29Maghull High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.12Good10.18%
30The Academy of St Francis of AssisiAcademy sponsor ledMixed-Requires improvement9.55%
31Sacred Heart Catholic AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.62-9.29%
32Litherland High SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed+0.03Good9.15%
33Archbishop Beck Catholic CollegeVoluntary aided schoolMixed-Good8.7%
34King's Leadership Academy, LiverpoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.37Good8.41%
35Notre Dame Catholic CollegeVoluntary aided schoolMixed-0.41-8.29%
36The Studio School LiverpoolStudio schoolsMixed-Good8.21%
37The Prescot SchoolAcademy converterMixed-Requires improvement7.35%
38Dixons Broadgreen AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-1.27-7.27%
39Kirkby High SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.15Good7.16%
40Lord Derby AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed+0.31Good7.12%
41West Derby SchoolAcademy converterBoys+0.29Good6.99%
42Dixons Fazakerley AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.83Requires improvement5.57%
43Childwall Sports & Science AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.9Good4.95%
44The Academy of St NicholasAcademy sponsor ledMixed+0.54Good4.11%
45Assess EducationOther independent schoolMixed--3.7%
46Auckland CollegeOther independent schoolMixed-0.36-3.17%
47Dixons Croxteth AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-1.72Inadequate3.14%
48Alsop High SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-Requires improvement2.05%
49Bank View High SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-2.54-0.87%
50Abbot's Lea SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0.16Outstanding0%
51Sandfield Park SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0.54Outstanding0%
52Alt Bridge SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-Good0%
53Childwall Abbey SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-1.01Good0%
54Clifford Holroyde Specialist Sen CollegeCommunity special schoolBoys-0.76Good0%
55Newfield SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-Good0%
56Woolton High SchoolCommunity special schoolBoys-0.34Good0%
57St Vincent's School - A Specialist School for Sensory Impairment and Other NeedsNon-maintained special schoolMixed+0.5Requires improvement0%
58Finch Woods AcademyAcademy special sponsor ledMixed+0.19Inadequate0%
59NexGen AcademyOther independent schoolMixed-0.58-0%
60Olsen House SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-2.01-0%
61Rowan Park SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed+0.01-0%

Note: Rankings use 2023/2024 CSP data for state-funded schools and may not reflect recent changes, check school websites for the latest information.

Source

All secondary schools in Liverpool

Below is the complete list of secondary schools in Liverpool, including both state-funded and independent schools where data is available. This table provides an at-a-glance view of each school’s key performance metrics, including Progress 8 scores, the percentage of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7, and Ofsted ratings, where published.

School nameTypeGenderProgress 8Ofsted ratingGCSE 9-7%
Abbot's Lea SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0.16Outstanding0%
Alsop High SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-Requires improvement2.05%
Alt Bridge SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-Good0%
Archbishop Beck Catholic CollegeVoluntary aided schoolMixed-Good8.7%
Archbishop Blanch CofE High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolGirls-0.05Outstanding29.74%
Assess EducationOther independent schoolMixed--3.7%
Assess Education North WestOther independent schoolMixed---
Auckland CollegeOther independent schoolMixed-0.36-3.17%
Bank View High SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-2.54-0.87%
Bellerive FCJ Catholic CollegeAcademy converterGirls-Good20.06%
Bluebell Park SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed+0.35Good-
Broughton Hall Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolGirls-Good13.75%
Calderstones SchoolCommunity schoolMixed-0.59Good11.45%
Cardinal Heenan Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolBoys-1.08Good15.11%
Chesterfield High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.66Good19.03%
Childwall Abbey SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-1.01Good0%
Childwall Sports & Science AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.9Good4.95%
Christian Fellowship SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-1.6-44.93%
Clifford Holroyde Specialist Sen CollegeCommunity special schoolBoys-0.76Good0%
Crosby High SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0.48--
Deyes High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.69-13.93%
Dixons Broadgreen AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-1.27-7.27%
Dixons Croxteth AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-1.72Inadequate3.14%
Dixons Fazakerley AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.83Requires improvement5.57%
Educ8 LiverpoolOther independent special schoolMixed-0.3--
Finch Woods AcademyAcademy special sponsor ledMixed+0.19Inadequate0%
Formby High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.23Good31.31%
Foundations for LIFE SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed---
Gateacre SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-Requires improvement-
Gateacre SchoolCommunity schoolMixed--10.63%
Holly Lodge Girls' CollegeCommunity schoolGirls--17.58%
Holy Family Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-Good15.31%
King David High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-1.45Good33%
King's Leadership Academy, LiverpoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.37Good8.41%
Kirkby High SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.15Good7.16%
LIPA SchoolFree schoolsMixed---
LIPA Sixth Form CollegeFree schools 16 to 19Mixed---
Lakeside SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed---
Lawrence House SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-0.53--
Litherland High SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed+0.03Good9.15%
Liverpool CollegeAcademy sponsor ledMixed+0.17Outstanding32.74%
Liverpool Life Sciences UTCUniversity technical collegeMixed-Good15.16%
Liverpool Progressive SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed+0.77--
Lord Derby AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed+0.31Good7.12%
Maghull High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.12Good10.18%
Maricourt Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-0.05Good12.91%
Merchant Taylors' Boys' SchoolOther independent schoolBoys-0.06-34.35%
Merchant Taylors' Girls' SchoolOther independent schoolGirls--37.25%
Nazene Danielle School of Performing ArtsOther independent schoolMixed---
Newfield SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-Good0%
NexGen AcademyOther independent schoolMixed-0.58-0%
North Liverpool AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.2Good20.86%
Notre Dame Catholic AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-Requires improvement-
Notre Dame Catholic CollegeVoluntary aided schoolMixed-0.41-8.29%
Olsen House SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-2.01-0%
Palmerston SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-1.34Outstanding-
Peregrinate Ltd.Other independent special schoolMixed---
Progress Schools - ToxtethOther independent schoolMixed-0.92--
Prudentia EducationOther independent schoolMixed---
Range High SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.22Good16.87%
Redbridge High SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-1.59Outstanding-
Rowan Park SchoolAcademy special converterMixed-Outstanding-
Rowan Park SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed+0.01-0%
Royal School for the Blind (Liverpool)Non-maintained special schoolMixed-Outstanding-
SENDSCOPEOther independent special schoolMixed---
Sacred Heart Catholic AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.62-9.29%
Sandfield Park SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0.54Outstanding0%
St Edward's CollegeAcademy converterMixed-0.57-23.61%
St Francis Xavier's Catholic AcademyAcademy converterBoys-Requires improvement-
St Francis Xavier's CollegeAcademy converterBoys-0.94-10.46%
St Hilda's Church of England High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-1.08Good22.72%
St Julie's Catholic High SchoolVoluntary aided schoolGirls-0.53Good12.28%
St Margaret's Church of England AcademyAcademy converterBoys-0.04Good23.95%
St Vincent's School - A Specialist School for Sensory Impairment and Other NeedsNon-maintained special schoolMixed+0.5Requires improvement0%
St. Mary's CollegeOther independent schoolMixed--31.54%
The Academy of St Francis of AssisiAcademy sponsor ledMixed-Requires improvement9.55%
The Academy of St NicholasAcademy sponsor ledMixed+0.54Good4.11%
The Belvedere AcademyAcademy sponsor ledGirls-2.61-35.96%
The Blue Coat SchoolAcademy converterMixed-1.63Good80.34%
The Prescot SchoolAcademy converterMixed-Requires improvement7.35%
The Studio School LiverpoolStudio schoolsMixed-Good8.21%
West Derby SchoolAcademy converterBoys+0.29Good6.99%
Woolton High SchoolCommunity special schoolBoys-0.34Good0%

Source

Disclaimer

All data on this page is sourced from the Department for Education’s 2023/2024 Compare School Performance dataset. It includes state-funded and, where available, independent secondary schools. Some schools may be missing data for Progress 8 scores, GCSE 9–7 results, or Ofsted ratings due to unpublished or unavailable figures. Rankings are based only on schools with published data and may not reflect recent changes. Please check school websites for the latest information.

How we ranked the best schools in Liverpool?

Why trust our rankings? Our analysis is based on the latest 2023/2024 data from the Department for Education’s Compare School Performance (CSP) database, which publishes official performance data for all secondary schools in England, including both state-funded and independent schools where available.

We’ve created separate tables to highlight top performers in three key areas:

  • Progress 8 (pupil progress from KS2 to GCSE)
  • GCSE 9–7 grades (academic excellence)
  • Overall school listings, with available Ofsted ratings

Schools are primarily ranked by their Progress 8 score. This clever metric doesn’t just reward schools with high-attaining intakes – it highlights the ones that genuinely support student growth by measuring progress from the end of primary school to GCSEs. It adjusts for prior attainment, making it one of the fairest ways to compare schools.

Where available, we also show the percentage of GCSE grades at 9–7 to reflect high academic achievement, and Ofsted ratings for added context. All figures come directly from CSP’s official dataset.

Where Progress 8 data is not available for any schools in Liverpool, the corresponding table will not be shown. This simply means that no schools in this area had published Progress 8 scores at the time of the latest dataset, it does not reflect on the quality of the schools themselves.

How to support your child at home

Helping your child succeed at school doesn’t just happen in the classroom, the right support at home can make a big difference. Encourage a regular study routine, provide a quiet space for learning, and take an interest in what they’re covering in lessons. Even small actions, like checking in on homework or discussing what they learned that day, can build motivation and accountability.

If you’re looking for extra structure, our GCSE Revision Resources are designed to make studying easier. With expert-written notes, topic-by-topic exam questions, and mark schemes, your child can practise exactly what they need to know, when they need to know it.

Boosting confidence before exams

Confidence can make a huge difference to exam performance. Start by helping your child identify their strengths and weaknesses, then focus revision time on areas that need improvement. Practising under timed conditions can reduce exam-day nerves, while celebrating small wins along the way builds self-belief.

Our GCSE Exam Practice pages include hundreds of past-paper style questions and worked solutions, so students can walk into their exams knowing exactly what to expect. By building familiarity with the question styles and formats, they’ll feel prepared and ready to perform at their best.

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FAQs - best secondary schools in Liverpool

Based on the latest Department for Education CSP data, the highest-rated secondary school in Liverpool is Liverpool Progressive School by Progress 8 and The Blue Coat School by GCSE 9–7 results. In the case of an exact tie across these measures, the first school in alphabetical order is shown here. For full details and to compare all schools, please refer to the performance tables above.
No. This guide covers state-funded secondary schools only, including grammar, comprehensive, academy, and free schools. Independent/private schools are not included in our rankings.
Applications are usually managed by Merseyside County Council. You can find deadlines, admissions policies, and catchment area maps on the council’s official website.
Use Ofsted inspection reports, the Department for Education’s CSP performance tables, and our rankings to compare schools side by side. Visit schools during open days for first-hand impressions.
Ofsted rates secondary schools as Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate. Outstanding secondary schools excel in teaching quality, student behaviour, leadership, and outcomes.
A Progress 8 score above 0 means students make better progress than the national average. Scores above +0.5 indicate well above average progress, while top-performing secondary schools typically achieve +0.7 or higher. The best schools in Liverpool consistently score above +0.8.

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