Hillside High School, Bootle

In its own words: "In the November 2014 document, Promoting Fundamental British Values as part of SMSC in schools, the advice to schools states : Schools should promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs1."

From the headteacher's welcome: "“I am incredibly proud to serve as Principal of Hillside High School, and I am delighted to work within a community that places learners at the heart of every decision we make."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, athletics, basketball, badminton, drama, choir, chess and coding.

On phones, the school says: "Mobile phones may be kept in a school bag but must be switched off at all times."

In 2026, pupils at Hillside High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 39.1, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 43.4 in Sefton and 47 across England.

40% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 39% in Sefton and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 39.8.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.47: pupils made below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 32.1, against 48.8 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 16.7 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 20 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Art and Design and Spanish.

For September 2026 entry, 242 families put Hillside High School as their first choice and 493 named it as one of their preferences, for 162 places offered. That is 1.5 first choices for every place. 89 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Hillside High School are Alsop High School (0.5 miles); Alsop High School (0.5 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 33.1); King's Leadership Academy Hawthornes (1.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 35.7); and Archbishop Beck Catholic College (1.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 39.9).

Hillside High School's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

Hillside High School is one of 10 schools run by Wade Deacon Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 45.5 in 2024/25.

Of the 121 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 74% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 65% to a further education college, 2% to an apprenticeship and 2% into work.

56.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 218 pupils (27.8%) received SEN support and 44 (5.6%) 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.

The nearest railway station is Kirkdale Rail Station, about 890 metres away (roughly a 11-minute walk).

14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Stuart Road (adjacent), 100 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Hillside High School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 771 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, public order offences and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Sefton (165), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Hillside High School issued 205 suspensions, 27.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 5 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Hillside High School are Bedford Primary School (0.2 miles), St Francis de Sales Catholic Infant and Nursery School (0.4 miles), St Francis de Sales Catholic Junior School (0.4 miles) and Northcote Primary School (0.5 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.