Boughton Heath Academy, Chester
Boughton Heath Academy is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Chester, part of Expedition Schools. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in July 2024. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 6th-highest of the 34 schools in Chester with published results, and 941st of 14,452 across England. It was full in 2025, at 108% of capacity.
- SATs results
- Above England average
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2024)
- Demand
- Oversubscribed
- Attendance
- Better than England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Cheshire West and Chester (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Boughton Heath Academy in detail
Boughton Heath Academy in its own words
Coming up: an open day on Thursday 12 November 2026, an open evening on Thursday 12 November 2026, an open day on Tuesday 8 December 2026 and an open evening on Tuesday 8 December 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.
All school open days in Cheshire West and Chester
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 91% of Year 6 pupils at Boughton Heath Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 94% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 74% in Cheshire West and Chester and 77% and 75% across England.
Results rose from 94% in reading and 79% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Boughton Heath Academy
For September 2026 entry, 32 families put Boughton Heath Academy as their first choice and 67 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 2 families who put it first were not offered a place there.
Admissions history and your chances at Boughton Heath Academy
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Boughton Heath Academy are Cherry Grove Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 76% reading, 82% maths); Hoole Church of England Primary School (0.8 miles); St Werburgh's and St Columba's Catholic Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 90% reading, 96% maths); and Oldfield Primary School (0.8 miles).
Boughton Heath Academy's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 2 schools.
Cherry Grove Primary SchoolHoole Church of England Primary SchoolSt Werburgh's and St Columba's Catholic Primary SchoolOldfield Primary School
The trust
Boughton Heath Academy is one of 13 schools run by Expedition Schools, an academy trust.
Who goes there
4.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 12.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (77%), Asian (8%) and Mixed (7%).
In 2026, 11 pupils (4.9%) received SEN support and 3 (1.3%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Chester Rail Station, about 1 mile away in a straight line.
11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Heather Court (opposite), 120 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Boughton Heath Academy stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Boughton Heath Academy issued 3 suspensions, 1.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to Boughton Heath Academy are The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School (0.2 miles), Chester International School (0.9 miles), Queen's Park High School (1 mile) and Christleton High School (1.2 miles).
The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High SchoolChester International SchoolQueen's Park High SchoolChristleton High School
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Our estimate from how close the nearest similar schools are and how oversubscribed the council's schools are. It is not a published boundary.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
Pupils enjoy coming to this exceptional school. They take full advantage of the wonderful opportunities that the school has to offer. Pupils spoke particularly fondly about the annual residential visits. Every pupil is encouraged to develop their talents and to represent the school in a competition or festival. Pupils said that they value how these activities and memorable experiences help them to develop important skills such as determination, respect for others and confidence.
The school has extremely high expectations for pupils' achievement. This includes for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils thrive and achieve exceptionally well, especially in English and mathematics. Pupils also develop a deep body of knowledge across the curriculum.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
Reading is given the highest priority across the school. In the Reception class, children delight in joining in with their favourite books at story time, for example by playing the roles of the main characters. Expert staff ensure that pupils quickly learn the sounds and letters that they need to begin to read. If pupils struggle to learn their sounds, they receive helpful support to catch up quickly with their peers. By the end of key stage 1, most pupils are fluent and accurate readers. Pupils of all ages love to read. They enjoy talking about their favourite books and authors.
The school has designed a highly ambitious curriculum which has been carefully reviewed and improved over time. Skilled staff design activities which ensure that pupils learn very well. For example, in the early years, staff select engaging resources which stimulate children's interests and fire their imagination. Teachers regularly check how well pupils learn. This means that any errors or misconceptions are addressed quickly. Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, achieve very well across the curriculum.
From Ofsted's July 2024 inspection report: the opening paragraphs of each section, quoted word for word. Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at its July 2024 inspection.
Rated Outstanding for
Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Personal development, Leadership & management, Early years.
At a Glance
4.9%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has remained stable at around 91% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 79% to 94% (2024 to 2025). Writing has remained stable at around 91% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
32.5
Avg class size
30.0
Infant (KS1)
33.8
KS2
6
Total classes
4 classes with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Social & online
Keep up with Boughton Heath Academy
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Boughton Heath Academy.
- Kids Planet Cherry Grove480m away · Not yet graded
Term dates
Boughton Heath Academy is an academy, so it sets its own term dates: check the school's website. As a guide, see Cheshire West and Chester's term dates for its community schools.
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Boughton Heath Academy from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Boughton Heath Academy is in Cheshire West and Chester; for families living there:
Apply to Cheshire West and Chester for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 7
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 1
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 7 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 6 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot.
3 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Cheshire West and Chester is 7 (the median across 184 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Boughton Heath Academy
Will you get a place at Boughton Heath Academy? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Boughton Heath Academy's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Boughton Heath Academy:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Boughton Heath Academy.
- Cheshire West and Chester publishes last distance offered figures, but none for Boughton Heath Academy that we hold, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Boughton Heath Academy for 2015 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Cheshire West and Chester got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
108%
Over capacity
226 pupils
210 places
16 pupils over capacity in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Chester
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Chester
Across Cheshire West and Chester council
Places available
4,260
Applications
3,274
Got 1st preference
92.3%
Got preferred school
98.5%
All primary applications across Cheshire West and Chester council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Oversubscribed
Inspection History(2)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
11
SEN Support
3
EHC Plans
6.2%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
225
Total Pupils
130
Boys
95
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
10
Teachers
22.5:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£50,876
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£4,955
Per pupil
£1178k
Total funding
£12k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
3.8%
Overall absence
5.1%
Persistent absence
197
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Questions parents ask about Boughton Heath Academy
What are SATs results like at Boughton Heath Academy?
Of the pupils at Boughton Heath Academy who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 91% reached the expected standard in reading and 94% did so in maths.
What is Boughton Heath Academy's Ofsted rating?
Boughton Heath Academy was rated Outstanding at its most recent Ofsted inspection in July 2024.
What is the catchment area for Boughton Heath Academy?
No fixed boundary. When Boughton Heath Academy is oversubscribed, Cheshire West and Chester allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Boughton Heath Academy?
Boughton Heath Academy was full in 2025, at 108% of its capacity, so places are allocated on the oversubscription criteria.
How big are the classes at Boughton Heath Academy?
Classes at Boughton Heath Academy average 32.5 pupils (2025/26). 4 classes have more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to Boughton Heath Academy?
Boughton Heath Academy has around 225 pupils on roll. 5% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Boughton Heath Academy?
3.8% of sessions were missed at Boughton Heath Academy in 2024/25. 5.1% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Boughton Heath Academy?
Apply through Cheshire West and Chester's coordinated admissions process, naming Boughton Heath Academy on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
Does Boughton Heath Academy have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club within a kilometre of Boughton Heath Academy: Kids Planet Cherry Grove (480m away, registered, not yet graded). The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
How many road collisions happen near Boughton Heath Academy?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 7 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 6 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot. 3 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Cheshire West and Chester is 7 (the median across 184 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Boughton Heath Academy?
Boughton Heath Academy is at Becketts Lane, Great Boughton, Chester, Cheshire, CH3 5RW.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)