The Sutton Academy

A good academy sponsor led school in St. Helens. Explore Ofsted ratings, admissions information, and performance data for The Sutton Academy.

St Helens, WA95AU Ofsted: Good Age 11-18 Mixed intake
Back to School Search

Performance Score

Overall school rating

54

/ 100

Secondary with Sixth Form weighted harmonic mean of 5 indicators

Indicators used for Secondary with Sixth Form schools

Progress 8 score
53.0
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: -0.06
English & Maths grade 4+ %
52.3
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 56.3%
Continue in education or training
38.4
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 45.0%
Sustained employment
64.7
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 32.0%
Ofsted inspection outcome
75.0
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: Good

How we weight each phase

Tap to toggle

Primary schools

  • KS2 pupils meeting expected standard 40.0%
  • KS2 pupils exceeding expected standard 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

Secondary schools

  • Progress 8 score 40.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

All-through schools

  • Progress 8 score 25.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 20.0%
  • KS2 pupils meeting expected standard 20.0%
  • KS2 pupils exceeding expected standard 15.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 20.0%

Secondary with Sixth Form schools

  • Progress 8 score 20.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 20.0%
  • Continue in education or training 20.0%
  • Sustained employment 20.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 20.0%

Sixth Form Only schools

  • Continue in education or training 40.0%
  • Sustained employment 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

Special schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Alternative Provision schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Independent schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Ofsted Inspection

Official inspection outcomes

Good
Overall effectiveness
Good
Last inspected
14 June 2022
Previous grade
Requires Improvement
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour & attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership & management
Good
Safeguarding
Effective

Source: Ofsted inspection outcomes. Grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, Inadequate.

Contact Information

How to reach this school

Source: GIAS
Address
Elton Head Road
St Helens, WA95AU
Phone
1744678859
Website
thesuttonacademy.org.uk/

Location

Find the school on the map

Source: Geocoding
View on Google Maps Get Directions

School Information

Basic details and characteristics

Source: GIAS
URN
136141
Type
Academy sponsor led
Phase
Secondary with Sixth Form
Address
Elton Head Road, St Helens, WA9 5AU
Website
https://www.thesuttonacademy.org.uk/
Age range
11-18
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Does not apply
School status
Open
Trust/MAT
THE CHALLENGE ACADEMY TRUST
Capacity
1550 pupils
Setting
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
Sixth Form
Yes
Nursery
No

School Performance Data

Official government statistics

Source: DfE

School Demographics

Total Pupils
1,457
Free School Meals
38.2% (557 pupils)
Special Educational Needs
3.1% (45 pupils)

Daily Attendance

Attendance Rate
89.7%
Needs improvement
Persistent Absence
27.1%
Missing 10%+ of school days

Detailed Performance Metrics

Attainment 8 Scores
Attainment 8:
43.1
Ebacc Attainment 8:
12.2
English Attainment 8:
8.6
Maths Attainment 8:
8.8
Open Subjects Attainment 8:
13.4
EBacc Subject Performance
Ebacc Attainment 8:
12.2
Ebacc English:
97.7%
Ebacc Entry:
29.3%
Ebacc Humanities:
88.6%
Ebacc Languages:
40.3%
Ebacc Maths:
98.1%
Ebacc Sciences:
93.5%
Progress Measures
Progress 8:
-0.06
Progress 8 Range:
-0.24 to 0.11
University Progression:
40.0%

Real Success Rates

What happens to students after they leave this school

Continue Education
45.0%
University, college, or sixth form
Enter Employment
32.0%
Full or part-time jobs
Start Apprenticeships
7.0%
Learning while earning
Not in Education or Work
13.0%
NEET - needs support

Sixth Form University Progression

Where sixth form students go after graduation

University Progression
40%
Quality: Average
Sixth Form Size
75 students
Per cohort
Apprenticeships
7.0%

Calculated Fields

Derived insights and analysis

Source: Calculated

Class Size Information

Average Class Size
91 pupils
Large Classes
Pupils per Year Group
182
Average across all year groups
Total School Size
1,457 pupils
11-18

Subjects This School Excels At

Subjects where students perform significantly above national average

Sports Studies (BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D*)
★★★★ ★
(6 students)
Computer Appreciation / Introduction (OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma at Level 3)
★★ ★★★
(9 students)
Social Science (VRQ Level 3)
★ ★★★★
(15 students)

Strong performance in 3 subjects

From the School Website

Information extracted from the school's own website

Source: School Website

Ethos & Values

"Together Students Achieve"

Kind Reflective Resilient Part of a Community

Head Teacher's Message

Principal Paul Willerton emphasises that The Sutton Academy aims to raise aspirations and improve outcomes through high standards, strong pastoral care, and a world-class education. He invites the community to visit the academy and highlights the calm, purposeful atmosphere where students work hard and are cared for.

Facilities

Large sports hall Two full-size all-weather pitches Full-size multi-use grass pitch Athletics running track Internal squash courts External netball courts A large, fully furnished and well-stocked Library Twelve dedicated science laboratories Learner Development Centre (Gold provision) Large multi-use Plaza facility with its own dining kiosk Twelve dedicated ICT classrooms Three dining rooms with a cashless catering system Two purpose-built Art classrooms The Student Development Centre (personalised timetabling and small-group support) State-of-the-art Technology workshops and classrooms An Arts Theatre that can hold up to 300 people for productions and events Independent Sixth Form block with its own dining facility, ICT resources, classrooms and social space Sixth Form facilities and spaces including dedicated study areas and a recording studio Plaza dining and independent study spaces

Curriculum Highlights

Broad and balanced curriculum across Key Stages 3–5 (including Sixth Form) National Curriculum emphasis with a focus on literacy and numeracy PSHE Education and a strong Personal Development programme Enrichment opportunities to support learning beyond the classroom A five-pillar curriculum emphasising knowledge building, retention of key knowledge, high-level vocabulary, cultural capital, and applying knowledge across contexts A knowledge-rich curriculum designed to prepare students for adulthood and future education or employment Interventions and support such as Boost and Secure in Year 11 and a strong reading/numeracy emphasis A dedicated Sixth Form with a mix of academic and vocational courses and tailored study spaces

SEND Provision

The Sutton Academy uses a graduated approach to SEND with a SEND Register and Student Profile to support individual needs. It employs a Panel system to coordinate interventions and uses a range of specific programmes (e.g., Lexonik Leap and Lexonik Advance for phonics, Reading Wise for comprehension, Zones of Regulation, Talkabout for Teenagers, Language for Behaviour and Emotions) and other interventions. It involves external professionals where appropriate and focuses on transition and adulthood planning for students with SEND.

Admissions Criteria

Oversubscription criteria include: 1) looked after children and those previously looked after; 2) children from associated primary schools; 3) children with a brother or sister at the school (Years 7–11); 4) other children. In the event of over-subscription, places are allocated by home-to-school distance measured in a straight line via GIS, with random allocation if still tied. Year 7 admission number is 270; applications are processed with local authority procedures including in-year transfers and appeals.

Other Secondary with Sixth Form Schools in St. Helens

Compare with nearby schools

View all Secondary with Sixth Form schools in St. Helens