The hardest schools to get into in St. Helens
Secondary: 312 families put Rainford High School first in 2026 and 256 of them (82%) were offered a place.
Reception: 47 families put Grange Valley Primary School first in 2026 and 28 of them (60%) were offered a place.
Every state school in St. Helens 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; last distance offered from St. Helens's admissions booklet.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places | Last distance offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rainford High School · St Helens | 312 | 256 (82%) | 258 | - |
| 2 | The Sutton Academy · St Helens | 298 | 254 (85%) | 255 | - |
| 3 | De La Salle School · St. Helens · faith | 234 | 211 (90%) | 228 | - |
| 4 | Rainhill High School · Prescot | 269 | 258 (96%) | 292 | - |
| 5 | Cowley International College · St Helens | 213 | 213 (100%) | 243 | 2.47 miles |
| 6 | Hope Academy · Newton-le-Willows · faith | 168 | 168 (100%) | 184 | - |
| 7 | St Cuthbert's Catholic High School · St Helens · faith | 163 | 163 (100%) | 175 | - |
| 8 | Outwood Academy Haydock · St. Helens | 123 | 123 (100%) | 135 | - |
| 9 | St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Academy · St. Helens · faith | 84 | 84 (100%) | 96 | - |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in St. Helens
What is the hardest school to get into in St. Helens?
For secondary places, 312 families put Rainford High School first in 2026 and 256 of them (82%) were offered a place. For Reception, 47 families put Grange Valley Primary School first and 28 of them (60%) were offered a place.
How many families in St. Helens get their first-choice school?
93.3% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 90.3% 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 St. Helens published it in its admissions booklet.