Knutsford Academy

In the heart of historic Knutsford, less than twenty miles from Manchester, a state comprehensive has quietly built a reputation for combining strong academic outcomes with genuine breadth of opportunity. Knutsford Academy ranks in the top 25% of schools in England for GCSE outcomes and sits first among all secondary schools in Knutsford itself. The Sixth Form, housed in a fully refurbished centre with modern study zones, places in the top 25% of sixth form providers nationally according to ALPS rankings. With Specialist School Status in Performing Arts and facilities that include direct access to Knutsford Leisure Centre, this is a school where academic ambition and extracurricular excellence coexist without either dominating.

The school operates across two sites, a structure that shapes the student experience in distinctive ways. Year 7 and 8 students begin their journey at the Westfield Drive site, a smaller, more intimate campus designed to ease the transition from primary school. In Year 9, students move to the main Bexton Road campus, joining the upper school through to Year 11 and the Sixth Form. This two-site approach means younger students settle into secondary life in a more contained environment before graduating to the larger, more complex main campus.

The values of Ambition, Respect, and Kindness are not merely displayed on walls but woven into daily expectations. Staff nurture confidence carefully, encouraging students to set high aspirations for what they can achieve academically, personally, and socially. The 2021 Ofsted inspection found that pupils value the positive relationships staff form with them and trust staff to help when needed.

Mrs Karen Key leads the school as Headteacher, overseeing a staff of more than sixty teachers and a support team who work collectively to deliver strong outcomes. The school is part of The Learning Partnership, a multi-academy trust formed in September 2023 through a merger of The Learning Alliance and The Learning for Life Partnership. The trust comprises fourteen schools across East Cheshire and North Staffordshire, providing a broader network of collaboration and shared practice.

The school formed in 1953 when the upper school on Bexton Road opened as a secondary modern. The lower school on Westfield Drive followed in 1966, originally as a separate girls' school. In 1973, the two sites combined to form Knutsford County High School, a co-educational comprehensive. Academy conversion came in April 2012, bringing a new uniform, new name, and renewed focus on academic excellence.

Behaviour across both sites is consistently calm and orderly. Students engage positively with staff, enjoying an environment characterised by mutual respect. Bullying and other forms of poor behaviour are uncommon. When issues do arise, staff address them effectively and promptly.

GCSE Results

The headline figures tell a compelling story. In August 2025, the school celebrated its best ever set of GCSE results, a milestone that built on several years of sustained improvement. The most recent published data shows an Attainment 8 score of 54.2, which sits comfortably above the England average. The school ranks 1,050th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it above the England average and within the top 25% of schools in England.

Locally, the picture is equally strong. Knutsford Academy ranks first among all secondary schools in Knutsford for GCSE performance, outperforming other local options that serve similar communities.

The Progress 8 score of -0.03 indicates that students make progress broadly in line with expectations based on their Key Stage 2 starting points. This figure, effectively neutral, suggests the school neither significantly over nor underperforms relative to prior attainment, though the strong Attainment 8 indicates students arrive with above-average starting points and leave with above-average outcomes.

The EBacc Average Point Score of 4.83 exceeds the England average of 4.08, reflecting strong performance across the core academic subjects that comprise the English Baccalaureate. 23% of students achieve grades 5 or above across all EBacc subject areas.

A-Level Results

The Sixth Form delivers solid outcomes at A-level. The most recent data shows 55.5% of grades at A*-B, with 28.3% achieving A* or A grades. The proportion achieving the top A* grade stands at 8.3%.

These figures position the school in line with the middle 35% of sixth forms in England (25th to 60th percentile), with an England rank of 829th (FindMySchool ranking). Locally, however, the picture is more impressive. Knutsford Academy ranks first in Knutsford for A-level outcomes, making it the leading provider of post-16 academic education in the immediate area.

The Sixth Form has earned a place in the top 25% of providers nationally according to ALPS value-added measures, which assess the progress students make relative to their GCSE starting points rather than raw grades alone. This recognition suggests effective teaching and strong support structures help students achieve their potential.

Teachers demonstrate strong subject knowledge and deliver content with clarity. Leaders have refined and strengthened curriculum plans in recent years, ensuring students study topics systematically and build knowledge coherently over time. In many subjects, these plans provide detailed insight into the important knowledge students will learn, allowing teachers to sequence content effectively.

Class sizes in the Sixth Form typically number around twelve students, allowing for more individualised attention and discussion-based learning. The curriculum balances academic rigour with practical application, particularly in vocational courses offered through the Cheshire Studio School pathway.

Assessment practices continue to develop. In some subjects, feedback explicitly identifies what students know and remember, supporting future learning effectively. The school acknowledges this remains an area for ongoing refinement, working to ensure consistent practice across all departments.

The school's Specialist Status in Performing Arts shapes the curriculum in distinctive ways. Drama, music, and dance feature prominently, with students in Year 7 working on productions like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and preparing assembly performances. Music introduces instruments, performance techniques, and compositional skills from the outset, encouraging creativity alongside technical development.

Sixth Form Progression

Of the 2023/24 cohort of 88 sixth form leavers, 61% progressed to university. A further 25% entered employment, while 5% began apprenticeships. The school tracks progression to Russell Group institutions.

Oxbridge applications remain modest in number, with three students applying to Oxford in the measurement period. Conversion rates have been challenging, but the school continues to support ambitious applications through dedicated guidance.

The majority of students progress to university, reflecting the academic orientation of the Sixth Form. For those seeking alternatives, the school maintains links with businesses offering degree apprenticeships and direct employment pathways.

Sixth Form Options

Students can choose between two distinct pathways. The traditional Knutsford Academy Sixth Form offers an extensive range of A-level subjects, grouped into option pools based on popular combinations from recent years. Entry requires a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including grade 4 in both Maths and English, with a grade 6 preferred in subjects to be studied at A-level.

The Cheshire Studio School Sixth Form provides a vocational alternative with two specialist pathways: Business and Creative, and Sport and Wellbeing. The Business and Creative pathway includes BTEC Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, building on GCSE Business Studies. The Sport and Wellbeing pathway offers BTEC Sport, which can be studied as part of the Football Academy or separately, alongside BTEC Health and Social Care. The Studio School achieves a 100% pass rate at Level 3, with graduates progressing to university, degree apprenticeships, or employment.

Students can combine elements from both pathways, mixing A-levels with BTEC options to create a personalised programme suited to their goals.

Year 7 Entry

Applications for Year 7 places must be made through the student's home local authority, whether Cheshire East, Trafford, or elsewhere. The school welcomes applications from beyond the immediate catchment, with a long tradition of students attending from south Manchester and Northwich areas.

The deadline for applications falls at the end of October annually, with places allocated according to the published Admissions Policy. The school is currently oversubscribed, with 429 applications received for 229 places in the most recent admissions round, representing a subscription ratio of 1.87. This means nearly two applications for every available place.

For late applications, places are only allocated if spaces remain after the main round. The appeals timetable is published by 28 February each year. Mr C Parr handles Year 7 admissions queries at cpr@knutsfordacademy.org.uk.

In-Year Admissions

For families seeking places outside the standard admissions round, Mr C Leigh manages enquiries at clh@knutsfordacademy.org.uk. Contact to enquire about availability in specific year groups before submitting an application.

Sixth Form Entry

Applications open each year for entry the following September. An online portal facilitates applications, with details available through the school website. The Sixth Form operates an open entrance policy, meaning students from other schools are actively welcomed.

Entry requirements for A-level study include five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including grade 4 in Maths and English. Subject-specific requirements typically ask for grade 6 in the subject to be studied. Vocational courses require five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including Maths and English.

The school is currently consulting on its 2027-28 admissions policy, with a proposal to include Lower Peover Primary School as a feeder school. The consultation runs from 6 October to 17 November 2025.

Students report feeling safe and well supported. Teachers know them well and care for them as individuals, creating relationships built on trust and mutual respect. When students need help, they feel confident approaching staff.

The inspection found that leaders and staff encourage the pursuit of excellence while carefully nurturing confidence. This balance matters: academic ambition paired with emotional support creates an environment where students can stretch themselves without feeling overwhelmed.

The two-site structure supports pastoral care in practical ways. Younger students in Years 7 and 8 benefit from the smaller Westfield Drive campus, where staff can monitor wellbeing more closely during the transition from primary school. The move to Bexton Road in Year 9 comes at a point when students have developed the independence and resilience to thrive in a larger setting.

The Sixth Form Centre provides a dedicated space for older students, with study zones, PC workstations, and a spacious common room. This separation from the main school creates an appropriately mature environment for students approaching adulthood.

Performing Arts

The school's Specialist Status in Performing Arts shapes a distinctive extracurricular programme. The Ignition Dance Company represents the school at regional events, recently performing at the 025 Dance festival with a new piece called Madame X, a celebration of Madonna, at the Stoke Regent Theatre.

Drama productions generate enthusiasm across year groups, with Year 7 students working on major shows like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Dance programmes include extended projects responding to musicals like West Side Story through urban dance styles, with students analysing professional videos to develop their own choreography.

Music begins in Year 7 with introductions to different instruments and performance techniques. Students are encouraged to showcase creativity through performance and composition throughout the academic year, analysing music from popular to traditional genres.

Sport

The upper school building connects directly to Knutsford Leisure Centre, providing exceptional sporting facilities for the PE department. Outside, extensive playing fields accommodate multiple football pitches, tennis courts, and a three-pitch astroturf area that enables training and fixtures in all weather conditions.

The Football Academy represents a notable specialism, integrated with the Studio School's BTEC Sport pathway. Students pursuing sport and wellbeing careers can combine academic study with focused athletic development.

Academic Enrichment

The Rotary Youth Speaks Competition provides a platform for public speaking, allowing students to argue passionately about topics that matter to them. The Year 9 team reached runners-up position in the Intermediate category, while the Year 10 team won the Seniors category, demonstrating the quality of debate and rhetoric developed through the programme.

Students enjoy extensive access to sports, arts, language, and other subject-specific opportunities beyond timetabled lessons. These activities complement academic work, developing broader skills and interests.

Notable Alumni

The school has produced footballers who reached the highest levels of the game. Phil Jagielka, who captained England and played for Everton and Sheffield United before moving to Derby County, attended Knutsford. Aaron Wilbraham, who played for Bristol City among other clubs, also emerged from the school.

The school day runs across two sites with staggered arrangements. Year 7 and 8 students attend the Westfield Drive site for their first two years before moving to Bexton Road for Years 9 to 13. The Sixth Form Centre is located at the Bexton Road site, with its own study facilities and common room.

The location offers convenient transport links. Knutsford sits minutes from the M6 motorway and less than twenty miles from central Manchester. Students travel from across a wide catchment, including south Manchester and Northwich areas.

For families wishing to visit, the school welcomes enquiries about arranging tours. Open evenings provide opportunities to see both sites and meet staff. The Sixth Form Open Evening for September 2026 entry took place on 16 October 2025, with headteacher presentations at 5.15pm and 6pm.

Parents should contact the school directly to arrange a visit outside of scheduled open events.

Oversubscribed at Year 7. With nearly two applications for every place, securing entry is competitive. Families outside the immediate area should not assume a place is guaranteed, despite the school's tradition of welcoming students from south Manchester and Northwich.

Two-site structure. Younger students attend a separate campus at Westfield Drive before moving to Bexton Road in Year 9. This transition suits some students well but requires an additional adjustment mid-school career. Families should consider whether their child would benefit from or be unsettled by this change.

A-level outcomes solid but not exceptional. While the school excels at GCSE and achieves strong value-added at sixth form, raw A-level grade profiles sit in the middle tier nationally. Students aiming for the most competitive university courses may wish to compare outcomes with nearby alternatives.

Vocational and academic mix. The presence of Cheshire Studio School creates an integrated environment where A-level students study alongside peers on vocational pathways. Families strongly committed to a purely academic sixth form environment may find this less traditional than some alternatives.

Knutsford Academy delivers genuine value for families in Cheshire and beyond: strong GCSE outcomes, a Sixth Form that adds real value, and breadth of opportunity in performing arts and sport that rivals far more expensive independent alternatives. The school's twin values of academic ambition and personal development create an environment where students are challenged to excel while feeling genuinely supported.

Best suited to families seeking a comprehensive education that balances results with character development, particularly those interested in the performing arts specialism or sport pathways. The two-site structure works well for students who benefit from a gentler transition at 11 before stepping up to a larger environment. With oversubscription at Year 7, securing a place is the primary challenge; for those who do, the education that follows is consistently strong.