Schools across Cheshire West and Chester

Local authority · 188 schools across 18 towns

Total Schools

188

134 primary · 20 secondary

Total Pupils

54,751

89% capacity used

Ofsted Rated

55

8 outstanding · 47 good

Capacity

61,758

7,007 spare places

Ofsted Ratings

47
128
Outstanding: 8
Good: 47
Requires Improvement: 4
Inadequate: 1
Not inspected: 128

Area Performance (2025)

KS2 Reading

75.0%

KS2 Maths

70.9%

School Capacity

Primary Schools

87% full
27,798 pupils31,922 capacity

4,124 spare places

Secondary Schools

90% full
21,416 pupils23,928 capacity

2,512 spare places

Pupil Absence

Avg Overall Absence

6.2%

2024/25

Avg Persistent Absence

15.4%

2024/25

Schools Reporting

151

2024/25

Absence trend across Cheshire West and Chester schools

4.8%
18/19
4.7%
20/21
7.2%
21/22
6.6%
22/23
6.6%
23/24
6.2%
24/25

Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Average across all open schools in this LA.

EHCP Timeliness

Issued Within 20 Weeks

15%

Plans Issued

487

Assessment Requests

1,066

Tribunal Cases

24

EHCP timeliness trend (% issued within 20 weeks)

88%
2019
45%
2020
28%
2021
32%
2022
7%
2023
15%
2024

Source: DfE EHCP timeliness statistics. Shows how quickly this LA issues Education, Health and Care Plans.

Admission Appeals

2025 admission appeals by school phase

Primary

4,126 admissions

35

Lodged

(0.8%)

18

Heard

2

Successful

(11%)

Primary (infant classes)

3,712 admissions

27

Lodged

(0.7%)

14

Heard

1

Successful

(7%)

Secondary

4,167 admissions

90

Lodged

(2.2%)

70

Heard

22

Successful

(31%)

Total

8,293 admissions

125

Lodged

(1.5%)

88

Heard

24

Successful

(27%)

Total appeals lodged per year

660
2019
619
2020
440
2021
553
2022
429
2023
444
2024
277
2025

Source: DfE admission appeals statistics. Shows how competitive school places are in this area.