Kirkby High School

  • Secondary
  • Academy
  • Ages 11 to 16
Ofsted: Good

Bracknell Avenue, Kirkby, Liverpool, L32 9PPOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Kirkby High School is a secondary school in Liverpool for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 62 schools in Knowsley. It ranks 31st of 40 secondary schools in Liverpool. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in July 2022.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 12 July 2022, report published 2 October 2022

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 July 2022

Pupils enjoy attending Kirkby High School, which is a calm and welcoming place for pupils to learn. They feel happy and safe. Pupils appreciate the strong relationships that they forge with staff. Pupils celebrate differences between people. They do not tolerate discrimination. Pupils are confident that leaders will quickly act to address any incidents of bullying. Pupils have pride in their school. They take good care of the classrooms, corridors and social areas. Most pupils behave sensibly and have fun during social times. They are generally friendly and courteous, including when speaking to each other. Leaders have high expectations of pupils' behaviour and learning. Most pupils live up to these expectations and achieve well across a range of subjects. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils experience a wide range of opportunities outside of lessons that inspire and interest them. These activities broaden their horizons and deepen their understanding of the world. Many perform in drama productions, enjoy taking part in science and rainbow clubs and play football against other schools. Parents and carers are generally supportive of the school.

What the school should improve

  • In a small number of subjects, particularly where leaders are newly appointed or inexperienced, the curriculum thinking is not as strong as it should be. In these subjects, leaders have not identified in sufficient detail the knowledge that they want pupils to learn and the order in which this content should be taught. Consequently, pupils do not achieve as well in the curriculum as they should. Leaders should ensure that these subject leaders are trained to develop the curriculum effectively.
  • Some pupils struggle to read. This hinders their achievement in the intended curriculum. Leaders should continue to develop the reading skills of these pupils to help them become confident and fluent readers.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

185 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score31.4

31.4, 14.7 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths20%

20%, 25.4 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths37.3%

37.3%, 27.5 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc10.8%

10.8%, 29.7 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score2.55

2.55, 1.54 below the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

1,042 pupils on roll, with places for 1,000

Eligible for free school meals59.2%

59.2%, 32.7 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language7.3%

7.3%, 14.3 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support19.7%

19.7%, 4.9 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.6%

4.6%, 1.4 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Kirkby High School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
All Saints Catholic High School0.9 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 40.6
Dixons Fazakerley Academy1 mileOfsted: Requires improvementAttainment 8: 33.4
St John Bosco Arts College2 milesReport card: Needs attention to expected standardAttainment 8: 39.4
Dixons Croxteth Academy2 milesReport card: Needs attention to strong standardAttainment 8: 31.6
Archbishop Beck Catholic College3 milesReport card: Needs attention to strong standardAttainment 8: 41.5

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
THE ROWAN LEARNING TRUST
Age range
11 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
No
Headteacher
Mrs Anna Dobson
Address
Bracknell Avenue, Kirkby, Liverpool, L32 9PP
Local authority
Knowsley
URN
140001

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.