Schools in Chester: Ofsted Ratings (2026)
321 registered schools in Chester, North West. 66% are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Browse the best primary and secondary schools below, then check a specific postcode for catchment distance.
321
Schools total
266 primary · 53 secondary
66%
Good or Outstanding
213 of 321
59
Rated Outstanding
154
Rated Good
Best primary schools in Chester
266 primary schools, sorted by Ofsted rating (Outstanding first). Showing the top 25.
| School | Postcode | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| Acresfield Academy | CH2 1LJ | Outstanding |
| Acton Church of England Primary Academy | CW5 8LG | Outstanding |
| Antrobus St Mark's CofE Primary School | CW9 6LB | Outstanding |
| Belgrave Primary School | CH4 7QS | Outstanding |
| Boughton Heath Academy | CH3 5RW | Outstanding |
| Brackenwood Infant School | CH63 2HN | Outstanding |
| Childer Thornton Primary School | CH66 1QY | Outstanding |
| Christleton Primary School | CH3 7AY | Outstanding |
| Clutton Church of England Primary School | CH3 9ER | Outstanding |
| Delamere CofE Primary Academy | CW6 0ST | Outstanding |
| Gayton Primary School | CH60 8PZ | Outstanding |
| Goostrey Community Primary School | CW4 8PE | Outstanding |
| Greasby Junior School | CH49 3AR | Outstanding |
| Great Meols Primary School | CH47 7AP | Outstanding |
| Hartford Primary School | CW8 1NA | Outstanding |
| Hermitage Primary School | CW4 7NP | Outstanding |
| Higher Bebington Junior School | CH63 8QE | Outstanding |
| Highfields Academy | CW5 6HA | Outstanding |
| Holmes Chapel Primary School | CW4 7EB | Outstanding |
| Irby Primary School | CH61 4UR | Outstanding |
| Kelsall Primary and Nursery School | CW6 0PU | Outstanding |
| Kingsmead Primary School | CW9 8WA | Outstanding |
| Liscard Primary School | CH45 7NQ | Outstanding |
| Mickle Trafford Village School | CH2 4EF | Outstanding |
| Mill View Primary School | CH2 1HB | Outstanding |
Best secondary schools in Chester
53 secondary schools, sorted by Ofsted rating. Showing the top 25.
| School | Postcode | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| Brine Leas School | CW5 7DY | Outstanding |
| Christleton High School | CH3 7AD | Outstanding |
| Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School | CW4 7DX | Outstanding |
| Prenton High School for Girls | CH42 6RR | Outstanding |
| Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College | CW11 3NT | Outstanding |
| St John Plessington Catholic College | CH63 7LF | Outstanding |
| Tarporley High School and Sixth Form College | CW6 0BL | Outstanding |
| Upton Hall School FCJ | CH49 6LJ | Outstanding |
| Weatherhead High School | CH44 3HS | Outstanding |
| West Kirby Grammar School | CH48 5DP | Outstanding |
| Wirral Grammar School for Boys | CH63 3AQ | Outstanding |
| Wirral Grammar School for Girls | CH63 3AF | Outstanding |
| Woodchurch High School | CH49 7NG | Outstanding |
| Calday Grange Grammar School | CH48 8GG | Good |
| Congleton High School | CW12 4NS | Good |
| Crewe Engineering and Design UTC | CW1 2PZ | Good |
| Eaton Bank Academy | CW12 1NT | Good |
| Hartford Church of England High School | CW8 1LH | Good |
| Madeley High School | CW3 9JJ | Good |
| Middlewich High School | CW10 9BU | Good |
| Neston High School | CH64 9NH | Good |
| Pensby High School | CH61 6XN | Good |
| Queen's Park High School | CH4 7AE | Good |
| St Nicholas Catholic High School | CW8 1JW | Good |
| St Thomas More Catholic High School | CW2 8AE | Good |
Check schools near a specific Chester address
Ofsted ratings tell you which schools are strong, but admission depends on distance. A PostcodeCheck area report lists every school near your exact postcode with its rating, type, and distance, plus crime, flood, broadband, and house-price data.
Schools in Chester: FAQ
How many schools are there in Chester?
There are 321 registered schools in Chester on the latest Ofsted/GIAS data — 266 primary, 53 secondary, and the remainder all-through, special, or 16+ providers. Of these, 66% are rated Good or Outstanding.
What is the best-rated school in Chester?
59 schools are rated Outstanding by Ofsted in Chester, and 154 more are rated Good. Outstanding schools are often oversubscribed, so proximity (your postcode's distance to the school) usually determines whether you can get a place.
How do I check school catchment for a Chester postcode?
Catchment depends on the exact address. Enter any Chester postcode into PostcodeCheck and the area report lists every school near that postcode, its Ofsted rating, type, and distance — the data admissions teams use to decide places.
Does living near a good school in Chester affect house prices?
Yes. Homes inside the effective catchment of an Outstanding or Good school typically command a 5-15% premium. The effect is strongest for primary schools, where catchment areas are smaller and admissions are tightly distance-based.