The hardest schools to get into in Cheshire West and Chester
Secondary: 226 families put The County High School, Leftwich first in 2026 and 205 of them (91%) were offered a place.
Reception: 50 families put Belgrave Primary School first in 2026 and 29 of them (58%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Cheshire West and Chester with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The County High School, Leftwich · Northwich | 226 | 205 (91%) | 205 |
| 2 | The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School · Chester · faith | 219 | 199 (91%) | 202 |
| 3 | Hartford Church of England High School · Northwich · faith | 237 | 226 (95%) | 233 |
| 4 | Weaverham High School · Northwich | 224 | 215 (96%) | 225 |
| 5 | Upton-by-Chester High School · Chester | 284 | 273 (96%) | 292 |
| 6 | Christleton High School · Chester | 214 | 207 (97%) | 219 |
| 7 | Neston High School · Neston | 294 | 285 (97%) | 302 |
| 8 | Bishop Heber High School · Malpas | 173 | 170 (98%) | 170 |
| 9 | Helsby High School · Frodsham | 189 | 189 (100%) | 199 |
| 10 | Tarporley High School and Sixth Form College · Tarporley | 188 | 188 (100%) | 196 |
| 11 | The Whitby High School · Ellesmere Port | 185 | 185 (100%) | 196 |
| 12 | St Nicholas Catholic High School · Northwich · faith | 182 | 182 (100%) | 202 |
| 13 | Ellesmere Port Church of England College · Ellesmere Port · faith | 153 | 153 (100%) | 159 |
| 14 | Ellesmere Port Catholic High School, a Voluntary Academy · Ellesmere Port · faith | 145 | 145 (100%) | 152 |
| 15 | Queen's Park High School · Chester | 124 | 124 (100%) | 128 |
| 16 | The Rudheath Senior Academy · Northwich | 108 | 108 (100%) | 116 |
| 17 | The Winsford Academy · Winsford | 106 | 106 (100%) | 130 |
| 18 | Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College · Chester | 74 | 74 (100%) | 78 |
| 19 | The Catholic High School, Chester · Chester · faith | 70 | 70 (100%) | 72 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Cheshire West and Chester
What is the hardest school to get into in Cheshire West and Chester?
For secondary places, 226 families put The County High School, Leftwich first in 2026 and 205 of them (91%) were offered a place. For Reception, 50 families put Belgrave Primary School first and 29 of them (58%) were offered a place.
How many families in Cheshire West and Chester get their first-choice school?
95.0% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 92.3% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where Cheshire West and Chester published it in its admissions booklet.