Greenbank School, Northwich
Greenbank School is a special school for pupils aged 11 to 18 in Northwich. It was rated Requires improvement at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in February 2023. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in January 2025 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Requires improvement (2023)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Greenbank School in detail
Greenbank School in its own words
In its own words: "Greenbank School is a maintained, special secondary school (aged 11-18 years) with a residential provision. Greenbank is registered with the Department of Education as a school for pupils with Autistic Spectrum Condition, Moderate Learning Difficulties and associated social and communication difficultes."
Vision and values (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Greenbank School are Elmy Hall School (0.2 miles); Cloughwood Academy (0.3 miles, Outstanding); Everly East Academy (0.7 miles); and Adventure Wellbeing School (1.2 miles).
Elmy Hall SchoolCloughwood AcademyEverly East AcademyAdventure Wellbeing School
What parents say
20 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Greenbank School (as of April 2026): 100% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that they are kept well informed about progress (95%).
Where pupils go next
Of the 15 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 100% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 20% to a further education college.
Who goes there
44.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 6.2% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (88%) and Mixed (7%).
Almost every pupil at Greenbank School has an education, health and care plan (129 of 129 in 2026). The most common need among them is autism.
Greenbank School provides for pupils with speech, language and communication needs and autism.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Greenbank Rail Station, about 620 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).
18 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Wilfrids RC Primary School (outside), 80 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Greenbank School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 122 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and public order offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Cheshire West and Chester (71), as is usual near a town centre.
Suspensions and exclusions
Greenbank School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: Ofsted Parent View; DfE destination measures; 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
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Sixth Form
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's January 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Greenbank School stands out for creating a genuinely happy and supportive environment where pupils behave exceptionally well and treat each other with kindness and respect. The school has high expectations for all pupils and provides expert support with reading, helping those who have fallen behind catch up quickly. Teachers are skilled at engaging pupils with the right materials and resources, and the school gives excellent careers guidance to help young people plan their next steps.
Key Strengths
- Pupils display outstanding behaviour with impeccable manners and strong positive relationships with staff and each other - they greet each other warmly and show kindness and empathy
- Reading is a high priority with staff providing expert support, helping pupils become confident and fluent readers
- Well-designed curriculum that builds on prior knowledge, with teachers skilled at engaging pupils with appropriate materials and resources
- Effective careers education from Year 7 through sixth form, including work experience and college visits to help pupils make informed decisions about their future
- Strong personal development opportunities including leadership roles, cultural celebration events, and teaching of British values
Areas for Improvement
- Year 10-11 pupils do not study a sufficiently broad range of subjects - performing arts and music are not available, which limits their choices for next steps
- Some pupils feel their views are not listened to sufficiently by the school, meaning their opinions are not considered in decision-making
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with leaders and staff creating an open and positive culture that puts pupils' interests first.
Extracurricular Activities
Football, fitness equipment activities, sixth-form organised whole-school events, diversity festival with music and food, work experience, college visits, discussions with House of Lords member
Greenbank School is a secondary special school that has improved significantly since its previous inspection. The school demonstrates outstanding behaviour and attitudes, with pupils showing exceptional manners, kindness, and a strong sense of belonging.
At a Glance
44.2%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
Speech and language, Autism
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
20 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at April 2026 - % who strongly agree or agree
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with Greenbank School
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Greenbank School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Greenbank School 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)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
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
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
97%
Near capacity
129 pupils
133 places
4 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Northwich
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Northwich
Across Cheshire West and Chester council
Places available
4,194
Applications
3,482
Got 1st preference
95.0%
Got preferred school
98.9%
All secondary applications across Cheshire West and Chester council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(8)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
129
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Greenbank School provides for pupils with speech, language and communication needs and autism.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
129
Total Pupils
114
Boys
15
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
17
Teachers
7.6:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£58,644
Mean salary
2026 data
Pupil Absence2024/25
9.6%
Overall absence
30.1%
Persistent absence
73
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Greenbank School
Showing 10 of 12 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Greenbank School
What are GCSE results like at Greenbank School?
In the 2026 results, pupils at Greenbank School achieved an Attainment 8 score of 1.8. 0% passed GCSE English and maths at grade 5 or above.
What is Greenbank School's Ofsted rating?
Greenbank School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in January 2025, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in February 2023, it was rated Requires Improvement.
What is the catchment area for Greenbank School?
No fixed boundary. When Greenbank School is oversubscribed, Cheshire West and Chester allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to Greenbank School?
Greenbank School has around 129 pupils on roll. 44% are eligible for free school meals.
Does Greenbank School have specialist SEN provision?
Greenbank School provides for pupils with speech, language and communication needs and autism.
What is attendance like at Greenbank School?
9.6% of sessions were missed at Greenbank School in 2024/25. 30.1% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Greenbank School?
Apply through Cheshire West and Chester's coordinated admissions process, naming Greenbank School on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
How many road collisions happen near Greenbank School?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in Cheshire West and Chester is 7 (the median across 184 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Greenbank School?
Greenbank School is at Greenbank Lane, Hartford, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 1LD.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)