Schools across Knowsley

Local authority · 63 schools across 7 towns

Total Schools

63

50 primary · 6 secondary

Total Pupils

21,717

97% capacity used

Ofsted Rated

17

3 outstanding · 14 good

Capacity

22,370

653 spare places

Ofsted Ratings

14
42
Outstanding: 3
Good: 14
Requires Improvement: 3
Inadequate: 1
Not inspected: 42

Area Performance (2025)

KS2 Reading

71.1%

KS2 Maths

69.5%

School Capacity

Primary Schools

98% full
14,781 pupils15,077 capacity

296 spare places

Secondary Schools

92% full
6,023 pupils6,512 capacity

489 spare places

Pupil Absence

Avg Overall Absence

7.7%

2024/25

Avg Persistent Absence

22.5%

2024/25

Schools Reporting

59

2024/25

Absence trend across Knowsley schools

5.6%
18/19
5.5%
20/21
8.1%
21/22
8%
22/23
8.1%
23/24
7.7%
24/25

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

EHCP Timeliness

Issued Within 20 Weeks

55%

Plans Issued

449

Assessment Requests

674

Tribunal Cases

5

EHCP timeliness trend (% issued within 20 weeks)

65%
2019
73%
2020
80%
2021
64%
2022
47%
2023
55%
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

2,087 admissions

33

Lodged

(1.6%)

26

Heard

5

Successful

(19%)

Primary (infant classes)

1,819 admissions

30

Lodged

(1.6%)

25

Heard

4

Successful

(16%)

Secondary

1,311 admissions

94

Lodged

(7.2%)

87

Heard

18

Successful

(21%)

Total

3,398 admissions

127

Lodged

(3.7%)

113

Heard

23

Successful

(20%)

Total appeals lodged per year

158
2019
319
2020
213
2021
349
2022
308
2023
280
2024
284
2025

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