Halewood Academy
The Avenue, Wood Road, Halewood, Knowsley, L26 1UUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Halewood Academy is a secondary school in Knowsley for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 62 schools in Knowsley. It ranks 1st of 6 secondary schools in Knowsley. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in May 2026.
Ofsted report card
Inspected 12 May 2026, report published 28 June 2026
Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.
- Inclusion
- Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching
- Expected standard
- Achievement
- Expected standard
- Attendance and behaviour
- Expected standard
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Expected standard
- Leadership and governance
- Expected standard
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 12 May 2026
Pupils benefit from clear routines at the start of the school day. They are greeted by staff, who know them well and who address any concerns that they have. This helps pupils to feel valued by the school. As a result, each day starts positively. Pupils feel safe. This is because there are school staff members they can turn to if they are worried about anything. Pupils say that bullying happens rarely at Halewood Academy. If it does occur, pupils know that it will be dealt with promptly and effectively. Generally, pupils attend school regularly. While leaders have reduced the number of pupils with very low attendance rates, there are still too many pupils who do not attend school as often as they should. Pupils are proud of the school's increasingly positive reputation in the community. They are pleased that leaders have made the school a calm and orderly place to learn. Typically, pupils behave appropriately throughout the school day. This is because they know what is expected of them. This enables pupils to enjoy their learning and the time they spend with friends at breaktimes and lunchtimes. The consistent format of lessons means that pupils generally enjoy learning. Pupils in school are now learning the ambitious curriculum well. This prepares them effectively for their next steps in learning. Staff typically remove barriers to learning effectively. For example, they break new ideas down into manageable steps. However, some pupils do not move on to independent learning activities as smoothly as they should. Pupils enjoy a wide range of additional opportunities in school. There is something for everyone. For example, pupils participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme, the debate club and darts. Pupils know that they can be themselves at school. This means pupils feel that they belong.
What the school should improve
- Leaders should ensure that staff consistently take account of pupils' starting points so that pupils can work independently and achieve well, including in national examinations.
- Leaders should continue to refine their strategies to support pupils who are persistently absent from school so that they attend regularly and benefit from all that school has to offer.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
223 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
1,131 pupils on roll, with places for 1,200
Schools near Halewood Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Julie's Catholic High School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 46.9 |
| The Academy of St Nicholas | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 29.4 |
| St Francis Xavier's Catholic Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Attainment 8: 36.7 |
| Gateacre School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Not published |
| ES Independent School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 0.2 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- WADE DEACON TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mr Ian Critchely
- Phone
- 01514778830
- Address
- The Avenue, Wood Road, Halewood, Knowsley, L26 1UU
- Local authority
- Knowsley
- URN
- 139614
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.