Wilmslow High School

  • Secondary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 11 to 18
Ofsted: Good

Holly Road, Wilmslow, SK9 1LZOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Wilmslow High School is a secondary school in Wilmslow for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 175 schools in Cheshire East. It ranks 7th of 22 secondary schools in Cheshire East. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in May 2019.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 8 May 2019, report published 9 June 2019

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Sixth form provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 January 2025

This is a school where pupils are inspired to be successful in all that they do. The school's core value of 'be more' is evident in everything that happens. Pupils feel happy, safe and valued in this friendly school. They are proud of the school's inclusive culture, where all are welcome, regardless of background or need. The school is ambitious for what pupils can, and will, achieve academically. All pupils study a broad and balanced curriculum. Students in the sixth form pursue subjects that prepare them well for their next steps in education, employment and training. Whether pupils leave at 16 or continue their studies to 18, many pupils achieve well. Pupils want to succeed. The majority of pupils consistently meet the school's high expectations for behaviour. Pupils understand the clear routines that ensure they are ready to learn throughout the day. They are polite, well-mannered and welcome visitors warmly. The school provides many opportunities that spark pupils' interests and talents. Pupils relish the array of clubs on offer, including jazz band, hockey and debate club. Pupils learn to build leadership skills and help others. For example, the model United Nations group actively promotes pupils' understanding of global citizenship.

What the school should improve

  • The school has not ensured that assessment is consistent and coherent across all subjects. This means that for some subjects, teachers are not clear about pupils' gaps in knowledge. The school should ensure that a whole-school approach to assessment supports swift identification of pupils' gaps so that pupils can make rapid progress towards curriculum goals.
  • Some pupils, including those who are disadvantaged and some with SEND, do not attend school regularly enough. This further exacerbates the gaps in these pupils' learning. The school should ensure that these pupils are supported to improve their rates of attendance. In addition, the school should identify and close any gaps in their learning as a result of missing too much school.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

341 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score51.4

51.4, 5.3 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths53.4%

53.4%, 8 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths75.1%

75.1%, 10.3 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc33.1%

33.1%, 7.4 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.52

4.52, 0.43 above the England average of 4.09.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

216 students

Average point score per A level entry34.73

34.73, 0.27 below the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade C+, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

2,227 pupils on roll, with places for 1,977

Eligible for free school meals12.5%

12.5%, 14 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language9.3%

9.3%, 12.3 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support8.4%

8.4%, 6.4 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan5.2%

5.2%, 0.8 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Wilmslow High School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St James' Catholic High School3 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standardAttainment 8: 51.1
Cheadle Hulme High School3 milesOfsted judgements: OutstandingAttainment 8: 60.7
Cheadle Hulme School4 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 16.9
North West Hospital School4 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
The King's School In Macclesfield4 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 28.9

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
Yes
Headteacher
Mrs Christina Kane
Address
Holly Road, Wilmslow, SK9 1LZ
Local authority
Cheshire East
URN
111443

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.