West Derby School occupies a prominent position in Liverpool as a large, purpose-built academy for boys, with a co-educational Sixth Form. Situated on West Derby Road, the modern campus serves as a central hub for over 1,000 students, blending traditional community values with a forward-looking educational approach. The school has developed a strong local identity, drawing students from over forty primary schools across the city.
The current Headteacher, Mrs Sian Graham, has led the institution since 2015, providing a decade of stable leadership. Under her guidance, the school successfully moved from a Requires Improvement rating to being judged Good by Ofsted in May 2023. This recent assessment confirms that the school provides a safe and effective learning environment, with inspectors specifically praising the calm and orderly atmosphere that pervades the site.
The character of West Derby School is defined by its commitment to the specific developmental and educational needs of boys in its lower years. The atmosphere is one of purposeful activity, where students are encouraged to be ambitious and respectful. The modern architecture provides a professional backdrop, with specialist suites for technology and science that reflect the school's heritage as a former specialist college for mathematics and computing.
Relationships between staff and students are built on a foundation of mutual respect. The school operates as a close-knit community where every student is known by name, a feat achieved through a robust pastoral structure. While the main school is single-sex, the Sixth Form introduces a more mature, mixed-gender environment that serves as an effective bridge to university life or the professional world.
Academic outcomes at West Derby School demonstrate a clear upward trajectory, particularly in the post-16 phase. According to proprietary FindMySchool rankings based on official 2024 data, the school ranks 3,194th in England for GCSE outcomes. The average Attainment 8 score of 37.9 reflects the diverse starting points of its intake. At GCSE, 8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), which is below the England average of 40.5%. The Progress 8 score of -0.66 indicates that, while students are making progress, there remains a focus on closing the gap compared to national benchmarks.
In contrast, the Sixth Form performance is a significant strength. The school ranks 1,410th in England and 17th in Liverpool for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). This places the Sixth Form comfortably within the solid middle 35% of England schools (25th to 60th percentile). In 2024, 41.76% of students achieved A* to B grades, demonstrating that for students who stay through to age 18, the school provides the academic rigour necessary for high-level success.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
41.76%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Teaching at West Derby School is underpinned by a curriculum that is both broad and ambitious. In the lower years, there is a heavy emphasis on literacy and numeracy, with specialized interventions such as the "Reading Ready" programme designed to ensure all students can access the wider curriculum. Teachers are noted for their subject expertise and their ability to engage boys through practical, high-interest activities.
In the Sixth Form, the learning environment shifts toward independent study and deep academic enquiry. The curriculum offers a blend of traditional A-levels and vocational Level 3 qualifications, ensuring that students can tailor their education to their specific career goals. The use of digital platforms like Unifrog helps students track their progress and prepare for their next steps with precision.
The school maintains a strong track record of successful transitions for its leavers. For the 2024 cohort, 50% of students progressed to university, a high figure for a non-selective community academy. Popular destinations include local institutions such as the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, where students pursue a wide range of degrees from Engineering to Humanities.
Beyond university, 19% of leavers entered employment directly, while 6% secured apprenticeships and another 6% moved into further education colleges. The school's dedicated careers guidance ensure that students are well-prepared for these transitions, with a focus on sustainable and aspirational career paths.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Securing a place at West Derby School is increasingly competitive. The school is oversubscribed, with a subscription proportion of 2.37 in the most recent cycle. This means there are more than two applications for every one of the 180 places available in Year 7. Of the total applications, 134 families named the school as their first preference.
Admissions are coordinated by Liverpool City Council. Because demand is high, proximity to the school gate is a critical factor in the allocation process. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school compared to local trends. For Year 12 entry, the school invites applications by 12 February 2026, with interviews held in March to discuss subject suitability.
Applications
453
Total received
Places Offered
191
Subscription Rate
2.4x
Apps per place
Pastoral care is a cornerstone of the West Derby experience. The school operates a Year Group system that ensures every student has a consistent point of contact in their Form Tutor and Progress Leader. The 2023 Ofsted report confirmed that safeguarding is a strength of the school, with staff being highly vigilant and students feeling safe and well-cared for.
Behaviour is managed through clear expectations and a system of rewards that celebrate both academic and personal achievements. The school's Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision is well-integrated, with the SENCO and a team of learning mentors providing tailored support for students with additional needs.
The extracurricular programme at West Derby School is designed to foster interests outside the academic sphere. Sport remains a major pillar, with the school fielding competitive teams in football, rugby, and athletics. The modern sports hall and outdoor pitches are hubs of activity both during and after the school day.
The school offers a range of clubs including the Robotics Club and specialized GCSE Support and Revision sessions. In the Sixth Form, the enrichment programme includes opportunities for leadership through the Sixth Form Student Council and community service through the Peer Mentor programme. These activities are designed to build the soft skills that university admissions tutors and employers value highly.
The school day begins at 8:40 am and concludes at 3:00 pm for the majority of students. While the school does not run its own on-site breakfast club for all years, it signposts families to local providers. Travel to the school is straightforward via major bus routes along West Derby Road. The nearest train station is Rice Lane, though most students arrive by bus or on foot from the local West Derby and Tuebrook areas.
As a state-funded academy, West Derby School does not charge tuition fees. It is free for all students to attend. For students in the Sixth Form, a Sixth Form Bursary is available to help with the costs of travel, books, and equipment for those from lower-income households. Details and application forms for this financial assistance can be found on the school's website.
West Derby School is a school on the rise, successfully balancing a strong community ethos with an increasingly rigorous academic focus. The recent Good rating from Ofsted is a testament to the hard work of the leadership and staff in creating a positive, safe, and ambitious environment for boys. It is best suited to Liverpool families seeking a modern, structured secondary education with a clear and successful pathway into higher education through its strong Sixth Form.
Yes, West Derby School was rated Good by Ofsted in May 2023. It is particularly recognized for its strong leadership, effective safeguarding, and the good progress students make in the Sixth Form.
For Year 7, applications must be made through Liverpool City Council by 31 October. For the Sixth Form, students apply directly to the school, with a deadline of 12 February for the upcoming academic year.
The school has strong A-level outcomes, ranking 17th in Liverpool. In 2024, nearly 42% of students achieved A* to B grades, which is a solid performance in line with the middle 35% of schools in England.
Yes, while there are no tuition fees, the school offers a Sixth Form Bursary to assist students with education-related costs such as transport and materials, based on financial need.
The school is all-boys from Year 7 to Year 11. However, its Sixth Form is co-educational and welcomes both boys and girls.
Get in touch with the school directly
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