Most sought-after schools in Cheshire East

Ordered by how many families put the school first, for each place it gave out.

This list is sorted by one number: first preferences per place. For each school it is the number of families who named it first, divided by the number of offers it made, in the newest year we hold. A higher number means more families wanted a place than there were places.

This is not a list of the best schools. It does not measure how good a school is, how happy the children are, or how well they do. It also does not tell you whether a child would get a place: that depends on where you live, the year, and the council's rules. It only shows how many people applied.

#	School	First preferences per place	Newest intake	Latest Ofsted
1	Whirley Primary School Macclesfield, primary	1.65	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
2	Ashdene Primary School Wilmslow, primary	1.38	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
3	Havannah Primary School Congleton, primary	1.38	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
4	Elworth CofE Primary School Sandbach, primary	1.33	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
5	Gorsey Bank Primary School Wilmslow, primary	1.30	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
6	Weston Village Primary School Crewe, primary	1.30	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
7	Adlington Primary School Macclesfield, primary	1.29	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
8	Hermitage Primary School Crewe, primary	1.28	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
9	St Thomas More Catholic High School Crewe, secondary	1.28	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
10	Bexton Primary School Knutsford, primary	1.27	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
11	Goostrey Community Primary School Near Crewe, primary	1.27	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
12	Offley Primary Academy Sandbach, primary	1.25	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
13	Wrenbury Primary School Nantwich, primary	1.25	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
14	Calveley Primary Academy	1.20	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
15	Pikemere School Alsager, primary	1.20	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
16	St John the Evangelist CofE Primary School Macclesfield Macclesfield, primary	1.20	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
17	Middlewich High School Middlewich, secondary	1.19	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
18	Shavington Primary School Crewe, primary	1.16	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
19	The Fallibroome Academy Macclesfield, secondary	1.16	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
20	Shavington Academy Shavington, secondary	1.15	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
21	Wistaston Academy Crewe, primary	1.14	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
22	Rode Heath Primary School Stoke-on-Trent, primary	1.13	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
23	St Gabriel's Catholic Primary School Stoke-on-Trent, primary	1.13	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
24	The Quinta Primary School Congleton, primary	1.13	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
25	St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Crewe Crewe, primary	1.12	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
26	Scholar Green Primary School Stoke-on-Trent, primary	1.10	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
27	Knutsford Academy Knutsford, secondary	1.08	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
28	Worth Primary School Poynton, primary	1.08	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
29	Astbury St Mary's CofE Primary School Congleton, primary	1.07	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
30	Lacey Green Primary Academy Wilmslow, primary	1.07	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
31	Prestbury CofE Primary School Macclesfield, primary	1.07	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
32	Sandbach School Sandbach, secondary	1.07	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
33	Handforth Grange Primary School Wilmslow, primary	1.05	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
34	St. Mary's Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Middlewich, primary	1.05	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
35	Tytherington School Macclesfield, secondary	1.05	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
36	Wilmslow High School Wilmslow, secondary	1.05	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
37	Hollinhey Primary School Macclesfield, primary	1.03	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
38	Millfields Primary Academy Nantwich, primary	1.03	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
39	The Dingle Primary School Crewe, primary	1.03	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
40	Poynton High School Stockport, secondary	1.02	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
41	Ash Grove Academy Macclesfield, primary	1.00	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
42	Audlem St James' CofE Primary School Crewe, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
43	Bollington Cross CofE Primary School Macclesfield, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
44	Bridgemere CofE Primary School Nantwich, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
45	Dean Valley Community Primary School Macclesfield, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
46	Disley Primary School Stockport, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
47	Gainsborough Primary & Nursery Academy Crewe, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
48	Gawsworth Primary School Macclesfield, primary	1.00	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
49	Highfields Academy Nantwich, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
50	Hungerford Primary Academy Crewe, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
51	Hurdsfield Community Primary School and Nursery Macclesfield, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
52	Nantwich Primary Academy Nantwich, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
53	Puss Bank School and Nursery Macclesfield, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
54	Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College Sandbach, secondary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
55	St Anne's Catholic Primary School Nantwich, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
56	St Michael's Community Academy Crewe, primary	1.00	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
57	Stapeley Broad Lane CofE Primary School Nantwich, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
58	Vernon Primary School Poynton, primary	1.00	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
59	Weaver Primary School Nantwich, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
60	Willaston Primary Academy Nantwich, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
61	Woodcocks' Well CofE Primary School Stoke-on-Trent, primary	1.00	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
62	Congleton High School Congleton, secondary	0.99	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
63	Eaton Bank Academy Congleton, secondary	0.99	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
64	Black Firs Primary School Congleton, primary	0.98	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
65	Middlewich Primary School Middlewich, primary	0.98	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
66	Pebble Brook Primary School Crewe, primary	0.98	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
67	Alsager School Stoke-on-Trent, secondary	0.97	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
68	Cledford Primary & Nursery Academy Middlewich, primary	0.97	2026	none held
69	Haslington Primary Academy Crewe, primary	0.97	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
70	Lostock Hall Primary School Stockport, primary	0.97	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
71	Mablins Lane Community Primary School Crewe, primary	0.97	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
72	Marlborough Primary School Macclesfield, primary	0.97	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
73	Underwood West Academy Crewe, primary	0.97	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
74	Upton Priory School Macclesfield, primary	0.97	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
75	Brine Leas School Nantwich, secondary	0.96	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
76	St Alban's Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy Macclesfield, primary	0.96	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
77	Wistaston Church Lane Academy Crewe, primary	0.96	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
78	Beechwood Primary School and Nursery Crewe, primary	0.95	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
79	Brierley Primary School Crewe, primary	0.95	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
80	Manor Park Primary School and Nursery Knutsford, primary	0.95	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
81	Monks Coppenhall Academy Crewe, primary	0.95	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
82	Malbank School and Sixth Form College Nantwich, secondary	0.94	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
83	Brereton CofE Primary School Sandbach, primary	0.93	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
84	Bunbury Aldersey CofE Primary School Tarporley, primary	0.93	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
85	Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School Crewe, secondary	0.93	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
86	Marton and District CofE Aided Primary School Macclesfield, primary	0.93	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
87	Mossley CofE Primary School Congleton, primary	0.93	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
88	Ruskin Community High School Crewe, secondary	0.93	2026	School remains Good (Concerns) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
89	The Berkeley Academy Crewe, primary	0.93	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
90	Alsager Highfields Community Primary School Stoke-on-Trent, primary	0.92	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
91	Warmingham CofE Primary School Sandbach, primary	0.92	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
92	Edleston Primary School Crewe, primary	0.91	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
93	Parkroyal Community School Macclesfield, primary	0.91	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
94	Pear Tree Primary School NANTWICH, primary	0.91	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
95	Chelford CofE Primary School Macclesfield, primary	0.90	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
96	Cranberry Academy	0.90	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
97	Marlfields Primary School Congleton, primary	0.90	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
98	Mobberley CofE Primary School Knutsford, primary	0.90	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
99	St. Benedict's Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Wilmslow, primary	0.90	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
100	The Oaks Academy Crewe, secondary	0.90	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
101	Excalibur Primary School Stoke-on-Trent, primary	0.89	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
102	Leighton Academy Crewe, primary	0.89	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
103	Lower Park School Stockport, primary	0.89	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
104	Acton Church of England Primary Academy Nantwich, primary	0.88	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
105	Bollinbrook CofE (A) Primary School Macclesfield, primary	0.88	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
106	Vine Tree Primary School Crewe, primary	0.88	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
107	Buglawton Primary School Congleton, primary	0.87	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
108	Peover Superior Endowed Primary School Knutsford, primary	0.87	2026	School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
109	Ivy Bank Primary School Macclesfield, primary	0.86	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
110	Smallwood CofE Primary School Sandbach, primary	0.86	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
111	St Paul's Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy Stockport, primary	0.85	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
112	High Legh Primary School Knutsford, primary	0.81	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
113	Holmes Chapel Primary School Crewe, primary	0.81	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
114	Mottram St Andrew Primary Academy Macclesfield, primary	0.81	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
115	Wybunbury Delves CofE Primary School Nantwich, primary	0.81	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
116	Broken Cross Primary Academy and Nursery Macclesfield, primary	0.80	2026	School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
117	Daven Primary School Congleton, primary	0.80	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
118	Elworth Hall Primary School Sandbach, primary	0.80	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
119	Rainow Primary School Macclesfield, primary	0.80	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
120	The Macclesfield Academy Macclesfield, secondary	0.79	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
121	Sandbach Primary Academy Sandbach, primary	0.78	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
122	Sir William Stanier School Crewe, secondary	0.77	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
123	St John's CofE Academy Sandbach, primary	0.75	2026	Inadequate (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
124	All Hallows Catholic College Macclesfield, secondary	0.73	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
125	Sound and District Primary School Nantwich, primary	0.71	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
126	Nether Alderley Primary School Macclesfield, primary	0.70	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
127	Saint Mary's Catholic Primary School Congleton, primary	0.70	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
128	Wheelock Primary School Sandbach, primary	0.69	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
129	Egerton Primary School Knutsford, primary	0.67	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
130	Styal Primary School Wilmslow, primary	0.67	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
131	The Wilmslow Academy Wilmslow, primary	0.67	2026	Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
132	Lindow Community Primary School Wilmslow, primary	0.46	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
133	St Anne's Fulshaw C of E Primary School Wilmslow, primary	0.44	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))

Figures from the Department for Education, applications and offers. 133 schools in Cheshire East have a published per-place figure. Schools with too few places for the figure to mean anything are left off. All schools in Cheshire East · How we compare schools.