Sandymoor Ormiston Academy
Sandymoor Ormiston Academy, Wharford Lane, Runcorn, WA7 1QUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Sandymoor Ormiston Academy is a secondary school in Runcorn for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 69 schools in Halton. It ranks 1st of 5 secondary schools in Runcorn. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in April 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 17 April 2024, report published 20 May 2024
- 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 17 April 2024
The school has high expectations of what pupils can achieve. Pupils are supported to think deeply about what they are learning. Most pupils gain secure knowledge in the subjects that they study. They achieve well. Pupils enjoy attending this friendly and warm school. Pupils usually respect and care for those around them. On the rare occasions when this is not the case, staff take prompt and decisive action. Pupils feel well looked after and safe. Pupils appreciate the well-established routines that ensure the school day runs smoothly. Staff support pupils with a friendly presence around the school site. They carefully observe pupils' interactions and proactively guide pupils to think about their behaviour when they need it. Pupils enjoy well-managed breaktimes and lunchtimes. They use their time well to socialise or to take part in the activities that are available. Pupils usually get along well with each other. Many pupils develop their interests and talents through the rich offer of extra- curricular clubs and activities that take place during and after the school day. For example, the house system supports pupils to develop a healthy competitive sporting spirit and team pride. Beyond sport, pupils also value the opportunities that they get to participate with other schools as regional or national representatives for the trust's student voice.
What the school should improve
- From time to time, teachers do not ensure that lesson activities match the ambition of the curriculum. When this happens, pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, are hampered from acquiring and applying their knowledge as well as they should. The school should ensure that teachers provide pupils with work that enables pupils to learn the content of the curriculum.
- Some teachers do not check well enough how well pupils have learned what has been taught across a unit of work. This means that gaps in knowledge are not identified or addressed. The school should ensure that teachers spot where pupils have not understood or remembered key knowledge so that the support that pupils receive enables them to catch up.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
102 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
631 pupils on roll, with places for 630
Schools near Sandymoor Ormiston Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy | 2 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Attainment 8: 35.9 |
| The Grange School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 36.4 |
| Blessed Carlo Acutis Catholic and Church of England Academy | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | Attainment 8: 33.3 |
| Penketh High School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 46.5 |
| The Heath School | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 42.5 |
School details
- School type
- Free schools
- Sector
- Free school
- Trust
- ORMISTON ACADEMIES TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Ms Linsey Hand
- Phone
- 01928571217
- Address
- Sandymoor Ormiston Academy, Wharford Lane, Runcorn, WA7 1QU
- Local authority
- Halton
- URN
- 147683
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.