Schools across Wirral

Local authority · 138 schools across 10 towns

Total Schools

138

91 primary · 20 secondary

Total Pupils

50,741

87% capacity used

Ofsted Rated

51

6 outstanding · 45 good

Capacity

58,512

7,771 spare places

Ofsted Ratings

45
76
Outstanding: 6
Good: 45
Requires Improvement: 9
Inadequate: 2
Not inspected: 76

Area Performance (2025)

KS2 Reading

69.1%

KS2 Maths

65.2%

School Capacity

Primary Schools

87% full
25,343 pupils29,244 capacity

3,901 spare places

Secondary Schools

89% full
20,670 pupils23,127 capacity

2,457 spare places

Pupil Absence

Avg Overall Absence

7.2%

2024/25

Avg Persistent Absence

19.0%

2024/25

Schools Reporting

111

2024/25

Absence trend across Wirral schools

5.8%
18/19
5.4%
20/21
8.3%
21/22
7.8%
22/23
7.5%
23/24
7.2%
24/25

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

EHCP Timeliness

Issued Within 20 Weeks

13%

Plans Issued

716

Assessment Requests

1,443

Tribunal Cases

13

EHCP timeliness trend (% issued within 20 weeks)

32%
2019
53%
2020
18%
2021
36%
2022
33%
2023
13%
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

4,063 admissions

129

Lodged

(3.2%)

45

Heard

7

Successful

(16%)

Primary (infant classes)

3,370 admissions

102

Lodged

(3.0%)

31

Heard

3

Successful

(10%)

Secondary

4,038 admissions

587

Lodged

(14.5%)

477

Heard

107

Successful

(22%)

Total

8,101 admissions

716

Lodged

(8.8%)

522

Heard

114

Successful

(22%)

Total appeals lodged per year

1549
2019
1440
2020
1171
2021
1305
2022
1124
2023
1279
2024
1534
2025

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