Sixty-three schools in Liverpool and Merseyside currently hold Ofsted’s highest rating.
Ofsted is the regulatory body for schools, providing institutions with ratings on a four-point scale, ranging from 'inadequate' to 'outstanding'. Grades are based on overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviours and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.
While concerns have been raised about Ofsted’s single-word judgements, many parents look at inspection reports as a way to decide which school is best suited to their children, with reports providing an in-depth analysis of how the school operated during a one to two day visit.
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Many primary schools across Liverpool and Merseyside are rated as ‘good’, however, fewer have been awarded the top mark. We have scoured the ratings to find out which schools are the most highly rated, with 63 primary schools across the region ranked 'outstanding' in 2024.
Below are all of the Merseyside primary schools currently* ranked as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. Did your child’s school make the list? *Ratings are correct as of June 9, 2024. Full inspection reports can be found here.
61. Whiston Willis Primary Academy, Whiston
Published in March 2024, the Ofsted report for Whiston Willis Primary Academy reads: "Whiston Willis Primary School is a happy, vibrant place where ‘everyone has a voice’. The school’s core values are firmly embedded in every aspect of school life. For example, pupils demonstrate how to be respectful and sensible through their exemplary behaviour, both during lessons and throughout the school day. From the very outset, pupils, including children in the early years, learn to take responsibility for their own actions and to understand the consequences that their behaviour may have on others. They said that their school is a safe place and that they are confident that someone will listen to them if they have any worries." | Maria - stock.adobe.com Photo: Maria - stock.adobe.com - for illustrative purposes only
62. Whitefield Primary School, Liverpool
Published in March 2024, the Ofsted report for Whitefield Primary School states: “Pupils embody the school’s motto of ‘Be here, be you, belong’. They refer to the school as a place of hope where everyone is part of the Whitefield family. Pupils celebrate and champion difference. They are proud of the diversity that exists in their school and community. Pupils’ understanding of equality is exceptional." | Google Street View Photo: Google Street View
63. Wirral Hospitals' School, Wirral
Published in May 2024, the Ofsted report for Wirral Hospitals’ School states: “Pupils thrive at this warm and inclusive school. They benefit from a culture that celebrates difference. Pupils join the school having had difficulties in previous settings. Here, they rebuild their trust in adults and their optimism for the future. Pupils enjoy exceptionally strong, caring relationships with adults who know them very well. This helps pupils to feel happy. They know that there is always an adult available to support them if they are worried." | Google Street View Photo: Google Street View