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.
- Top 16 primary schools in St Helens based on latest performance data | Top 23 primary schools in Liverpool based on latest performance data
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.
9. Cronton Church of England Primary Academy, Knowsley
Published in May 2024, the Ofsted report for Cronton Church of England Primary Academy states: "Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make excellent progress through the school’s highly engaging and ambitious curriculum. They approach their work with high levels of interest and curiosity. Pupils relish the learning challenges that teachers provide during lessons and show strong commitment and perseverance when undertaking tasks. Pupils are exceptionally proud of their achievements." | Google Street View Photo: Google Street View
10. Eccleston Lane Ends Primary School, St Helens
Published in February 2015, the Ofsted report for Eccleston Lane Ends Primary School reads: “Leadership and management, including governance, are outstanding. The leadership of teaching and learning is a great strength and has resulted in a long track record of high standards and strong teaching." | Google Photo: Google Street View
11. Elleray Park School, Wirral
Published in June 2023, the Ofsted report for Elleray Park School reads: “Leaders have the highest expectations of what pupils can achieve in their learning and behaviour. Leaders’ unrelenting ambition for pupils starts from the moment they join the school. The school’s curriculum places no ceiling on pupils’ success. It prepares children and pupils, all of whom have special educational needs and/or disabilities, exceptionally well for their next steps in education and life in modern Britain." | Google Street View Photo: Google Street View
12. Emmaus Church of England and Catholic Primary School, Liverpool
Published in January 2024, the Ofsted report for Emmaus Church of England and Catholic Primary School reads: “Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), thrive at this wonderful school. They live up to the school’s high expectations and excel in their learning and wider development. Pupils achieve highly across the curriculum. They feel safe at the school because of staff’s expert support. Pupils learn to treat other people how they want to be treated themselves. They develop an exceptional understanding of the causes and impact of world issues, such as religious and racial conflict. Pupils’ understanding does not happen by chance. It is a direct result of the school’s innovative curriculum thinking." | Google Street View Photo: Google Street View