The Sutton Academy, St Helens

Good
Secondary
Academy sponsor led
Mixed
Ages 1118

Data last updated 11 Sept 2026

Location

Very likely (~1.8km)Possible (~2.6km)Unlikely (~3.4km)Confidence: medium

Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective

Key Information

DfE GIAS
Head:Ms Lynsey Gobin
Pupils:1,441 / 1,550 capacity
LA:St. Helens
Phone:01744678859
Address:Elton Head Road, St Helens, WA9 5AU
Trust:THE CHALLENGE ACADEMY TRUST
Admissions:Non-selective
Status:open
Opened:1 September 2010

Ofsted Rating

Good

Overall

URN:136141
UKPRN:10030494
Diocese:Not applicable
Constituency:St Helens South and Whiston
Urban/Rural:Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Ofsted Insights

What This School Does Well

The Sutton Academy excels at making all pupils feel cared for and valued, with particularly strong support for those with additional needs who access the same rich curriculum as their peers. Teachers consistently deliver high-quality lessons that help pupils build deep knowledge and confidence. The school goes beyond academics, preparing pupils well for life through extensive careers education, work experience, and trips including visits to Japan.

Key Strengths

  • High-quality teaching consistently across all subjects with strong focus on building deep knowledge
  • Exceptional support and inclusion for pupils with SEND - same ambitious curriculum as peers
  • Strong personal development programme with extensive careers education and work experience
  • Pupils behave politely and cooperatively, feel safe, and understand bullying is not tolerated
  • Leaders use latest educational research to inform improvement strategies

Areas for Improvement

  • Attendance rates below national average, though recent improvements are being made
  • Some subjects not yet reaching national average attainment levels
  • A-level results sometimes lag behind for higher-attaining students - curriculum review underway

Safeguarding

Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have created an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils feel safe.

Extracurricular Activities

Robotics club, community charity events, school visits including to Japan, mock interviews with external employers, university visits, visiting speakers from local businesses and colleges

The Sutton Academy is a school where leaders use educational research to inform high-quality teaching and curriculum design. Pupils are proud of their school, behave with kindness and respect, and feel cared for by staff.

At a Glance

39.1%

Free School Meals

No

Boarding

No

Nursery

Yes

Sixth Form

No

Special Measures

Class Sizes

19.7

Avg class size

69

Total classes

1 class with more than 30 pupils

2024/25 academic year

Getting There

Train Stations

Lea Green Rail Station (Entrance)
415m · 7 min walk

Bus Stops

Lea Green Road (adj)
44m · 1 min walk
Sutton Academy (Inside)
174m · 3 min walk
Sutton High School (o/s)
289m · 5 min walk
Marshalls Cross Road (opp)
303m · 5 min walk
Lea Green Station (Stop B)
443m · 7 min walk
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Capacity & Demand

School Occupancy

93%

Near capacity

1,441 pupils

1,550 capacity

109 spare places available

Area Demand Pressure - St Helens

Low pressure
New homes approved:1,362
Projected new pupils:245

Based on MHCLG housing supply data for St Helens

Admissions Demand - St. Helens

Low demand0.89x oversubscription

Places available

2,109

Applications

1,879

Got 1st preference

96.9%

Got preferred school

99.5%

Secondary admissions across St. Helens (2025/26)

Inspection History(113)

Date not published by Ofsted
Good
Date not published by Ofsted
Good
Date not published by Ofsted
Good

House Prices

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SEN Provision

How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.

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Pupil Demographics

The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.

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Teachers & Staff

Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.

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School Funding

Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.

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Pupil Absence
2024/25

10.23297%

Overall absence

27.80631%

Persistent absence

1,363

Enrolments

Authorised3.97739%
Unauthorised6.25558%
Persistent (10%+)27.80631%
Severe (50%+)4.91563%

Absence trend

5.56539%
18/19
6.59075%
20/21
10.71342%
21/22
10.01593%
22/23
10.27924%
23/24
10.23297%
24/25
Overall absence rate

Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.

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