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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 104829

Cowley International College

Community school · St Helens · WA10 6PN

Ages 11–18 · 1,514 pupils · St. Helens

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

Attainment 8

41.7

Overall absence

12.5%

Admissions demand

1.00 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-03-10

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • InclusionNeeds attention
  • Attendance and behaviourNeeds attention
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
  • Leadership and governanceExpected standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.69
−20+2
Attainment 841.7
English & maths grade 5+29%
English & maths grade 4+54%
EBacc entry55%

EBacc APS: 3.6

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence12.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)32.1%
Unauthorised8.7%
Authorised absence
3.8%
Severe absence (50%+)
8.1%
Enrolments in measure
1,289

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.00 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

244

Places offered

244

1st-preference offers

229

Total preferences (any rank)
546
Preferred offers (top 3)
244
Applications from outside LA
7
Offers to outside-LA applicants
1
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill93%

1,514 pupils · 1,620 places

Pupils on roll
1,514
Boys / girls
784 / 730
School capacity
1,620
Capacity fill
1,514 / 1,620 (93%)
Free school meals
37.5%
FSM pupils
459
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community school

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Community school
Headteacher
Mr Russell Cormack

Location

Address
Hard Lane
Postcode
WA10 6PN
Town
St Helens
County
Merseyside
Local authority
St. Helens
District
St. Helens
Constituency
St Helens North
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed community school (secondary), Ages 11–18, in St Helens, St. Helens, 1,514 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 37.5%.

Open schools in St Helens
53
Secondary schools in St Helens
7
Academies among open schools in St Helens
25% (13)
Open schools in WA10
16
Secondary in WA10
2
Open schools in St. Helens LA
80
Secondary in St. Helens LA
9

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in St HelensNear WA10

  • De La Salle School

    Ofsted: Requires improvement

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    St. Helens · WA10 4QH · St. Helens

    Ages 11–16

    • FSM24.9%

    1.1 miles away

  • St Cuthbert's Catholic High School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Voluntary aided school · Secondary

    St Helens · WA9 3HE · St. Helens

    Ages 11–16

    • Att834.1
    • P8-1.1
    • EM5+27%
    • Absence14.1%

    2.5 miles away

  • The Sutton Academy

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    St Helens · WA9 5AU · St. Helens

    Ages 11–18

    • Att843.1
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+40%
    • Absence10.3%

    2.8 miles away

  • Outwood Academy Haydock

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    St. Helens · WA11 0JG · St. Helens

    Ages 11–16

    • Att841.2
    • P8-0.3
    • EM5+32%
    • Absence11.2%

    3.0 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Russell Cormack
Telephone
01744678030
Website
http://www.cowley.st-helens.sch.uk/

Official links