AS primary school selection is just around the corner and pressure mounts for parents to find the best fit for their child, we have compiled a list of the best schools in the area according to Ofsted.
To keep the list as relevant as possible we have included the primary schools who have received inspections from the education watchdogs from the year 2020 and onwards.
Grading ranges from Inadequate being the lowest to Outstanding being the highest rating.
Warrington is known for having access to excellent schools all across the area, so you will not find many below the grading of Good but here are the best inspection outcomes in recent years.
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary, Whitecross – ‘Good’
The school, located in Whitecross, received an inspection in December 2022 which determined the school to be on track for an Outstanding rating in their following graded inspection.
The report read: “Pupils love coming to this school. From the Reception class to Year 6, pupils enjoy learning because leaders have thought carefully about how to make their learning relevant and engaging.
“Pupils know that teachers expect them to work hard. They rise to these high expectations. Pupils learn well in all subjects and years.”
St Benedict's Catholic Primary, Orford – ‘Good’
Based in Orford, this school received a rating of Good after Ofsted inspected the site in December 2022.
The report read: “Pupils thoroughly enjoy coming to school, where they are happy and safe. Pupils are eager to learn.”
“Leaders and governors have developed a carefully designed curriculum, which identifies the knowledge and skills that leaders want pupils, and children in the early years, to acquire. Leaders make sure that teachers implement the curriculum in the intended order.
“This means that pupils build on and consolidate their learning as they move through the early years and key stages 1 and 2. As a result, at the end of Year 6, pupils are ready for their learning in high school and beyond.”
Brook Acre Community Primary School, Padgate – ‘Good’
This Padgate school continues to be a ‘good’ school according to their most recent inspection by Ofsted which took place in October 2022.
The inspection report read: “Pupils are proud to attend this happy school that sits at the heart of the local community.
“Pupils are very well behaved and work hard in lessons. Each day, they try their best to live up to the high expectations that leaders and teachers have for them, both academically and socially.
“All pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND),benefit from a wide range of experiences beyond the classroom.”
Latchford St James CofE Primary School, Latchford – ‘Good’
Continuing its track record of being a good school, Latchford St James received another highly positive inspection in November 2022.
Inspectors reported: “This is a welcoming and friendly school. The pupils who spoke with inspectors said that they enjoy attending this school and they feel safe. Pupils said that they have lots of friends and that adults help them with any concerns.”
“Leaders have high aspirations for pupils, including children in the early years. They have organised an ambitious curriculum which helps pupils and children to achieve well.
“This includes those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and disadvantaged pupils.”
Alderman Bolton Primary School, Latchford – ‘Good’
This Latchford Primary also continues to be a good school education regulators stated after an inspection in October 2022.
The report began: “Pupils, and children in the early years, are happy and safe in school. They value the opportunities that they have to talk with a trusted adult.
“Leaders have created warm and welcoming spaces where pupils can go if they have any worries or concerns. This helps to support pupils’ mental health and well-being.
“Pupils feel a strong sense of belonging to this caring school. They wear their uniform with pride. Most pupils would readily recommend their school to others.”
Beamont Primary School, Orford – ‘Good’
Located in Orford, this school was given a rating of Good when it received a recent inspection back in November 2022.
The report began: “Pupils are happy members of this encouraging school community. They get on well together and make lots of friends.
“Pupils benefit from the strong relationships that they forge with staff. They know that staff care about them.
“Leaders have designed an interesting curriculum from Year 1 to Year 6 that is suitably broad and ambitious for all pupils, including pupils with SEND.”
Penketh South Community Primary School, Penketh – ‘Good’
The outcome of the most recent inspection of Penketh South said the setting ‘continues to be a good school’.
The report from inspectors read: “Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve well.
“This is because leaders and staff are ambitious for pupils, and they help them to do their best. Leaders provide pupils, including children in early years, with a worthwhile curriculum. This helps pupils to thrive at this school.
“Pupils said that they enjoy a range of subjects, not because the learning is easy, but because staff help them to think deeply about their work.
“Staff have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour. Pupils, including children in the Nursery and Reception classes, are happy and settled, and feel safe.”
The Cobbs Infant and Nursery School, Appleton – ‘Good’
This primary school based in Appleton has once again achieved a good rating in its latest visit from Ofsted back in June 2022.
An inspectors findings read: “Pupils said that this is a happy school where they love to learn and be with their friends.
“This is no surprise as the school’s positive values and warm and friendly relationships are at the heart of The Cobbs.
“Pupils feel safe and value the highly supportive, welcoming environment. They know that staff care about them. Pupils trust staff to help them when they need support.”
“Leaders and staff are ambitious for every pupil, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children in early years and pupils in key stage 1 are expected to achieve highly. Staff are successful at making this happen.”
Westbrook Old Hall Primary School, Westbrook – ‘Good’
Westbrook Old Hall Primary ‘continues to be a good school’ according to their Ofsted inspection in June 2022.
“Pupils are happy and enjoy coming to school each day. They are polite and courteous to staff and to each other. In lessons, pupils try hard.
“Pupils rise to the high expectations that leaders have of their learning. Pupils relish earning ‘Westies’ and certificates for their achievements and positive behaviours.”
“Leaders have designed an interesting, challenging and ambitious curriculum. They have considered the important knowledge that they want pupils to learn in each year group.”
Park Road Community Primary School, Great Sankey – ‘Good’
This school was given a rating of Good in their latest Ofsted rating back in May 2022.
The inspectors report read: “Pupils enjoy attending this school. They arrive each day with a positive attitude.
“They are excited to learn. Relationships between staff and pupils are strong. This helps pupils to feel happy and safe.”
“Leaders and staff make sure that pupils behave in a calm and sensible manner. Pupils are considerate of others as they move around the school and play outside.
“Pupils are well motivated by leaders’ rewards systems, such as the ‘golden planet’.”
Chapelford Village Primary School, Great Sankey – ‘Good’
Based in Great Sankey, this primary school setting was rated Good by Ofsted in an inspection in March 2022.
An inspector wrote: “Pupils, including children in the early years, are happy to belong to this vibrant school community. They behave well and make lots of friends.
“Pupils said that the staff are kind and encouraging. This helps pupils to feel safe. Pupils work hard in lessons and are eager to talk about their learning.
“Leaders have planned a broad and ambitious curriculum for all pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders have decided on the important knowledge that they want pupils to learn in each subject.”
Locking Stumps Community Primary School, Birchwood – ‘Good’
Ofsted inspectors reported that this Birchwood primary school ‘continues to be a good school’ in their recent inspection in February 2022.
The report reads: “This is a happy and friendly school where pupils form strong relationships with staff and enjoy learning with their friends.
“Pupils learn about different forms of discrimination. This develops their awareness of the harmful impact of unacceptable behaviour such as racism and homophobic bullying. Staff do not tolerate bullying or unkind behaviour.
“Leaders have developed a broad, interesting and well-ordered curriculum. It is ambitious for all pupils, including those pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).”
Burtonwood Community Primary School, Burtonwood – ‘Outstanding’
In a recent inspection in March 2022, the school was said to have had no change in its rating of Outstanding.
The report read: “Pupils who attend Burtonwood Primary are very proud of their school. They arrive each day happy to see their friends.”
“Leaders and staff have high expectations for pupils’ behaviour. Pupils try their best to live up to the school motto and aspire to be excellent in all that they do.
“For example, through their sporting endeavours, pupils learn to be gracious in defeat. So that pupils can live up to leaders’ high expectations for their achievement, leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum.”
Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, Latchford – ‘Good’
An inspection from the education regulators in February 2022 showed this Latchford school to be a Good school.
The report began: “Our Lady’s is a happy and friendly community. Pupils said that they love attending this school because they have lots of friends and that everyone is welcome.
“They also said that staff care for them and look after them well if they have any problems.”
“Leaders are aspirational for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and disadvantaged pupils. In most subjects, they have organised learning that builds on what pupils already know.”
St Andrew's CofE Primary School, Orford – ‘Good’
Ofsted inspectors visited this school in Orford in January 2022 and determined it to be a Good school.
The report said: “Pupils love learning at this caring and supportive school. They develop strong relationships with staff. Pupils feel safe in school. Leaders and staff have high expectations for pupils’ behaviour.”
“Leaders have ensured that pupils follow a broad and engaging curriculum. In most subjects, the curriculum makes clear the knowledge that leaders want pupils to learn.
“Leaders have ensured that this important knowledge builds in a logical way. In these subjects, pupils achieve well.”
Bewsey Lodge Primary School, Bewsey – ‘Good’
This school in Bewsey received a positive rating of Good in their last inspection from Ofsted in November 2021.
The report reads: “Each morning, pupils arrive enthusiastically at Bewsey Lodge Primary School.
“They are keen to learn with their friends. Teachers know their pupils well. They provide highly effective support to pupils.”
“Leaders and teachers have very high expectations of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils benefit from a rich academic curriculum that is interwoven with excellent opportunities for pupils’ wider personal development.”
Cinnamon Brow CofE Primary School, Fearnhead – ‘Good’
This learning setting in Fearnhead jumped up a rating in their most recent inspection back in October 2021 having made noticeable improvements according to the education regulators.
Inspectors reported: “Pupils at Cinnamon Brow, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are happy and enjoy their time at the school.
“Pupils benefit from a wide range of planned, extra opportunities, such as choir and ‘school parliament’.”
“Senior leaders know the school in detail. They are ambitious and make sure that staff have an accurate understanding of each curriculum subject.”
St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, Latchford – ‘Good’
The latest Ofsted inspection for this Latchford school was conducted in September 2021 and inspectors determined that it ‘continues to be a good school’.
The report states: “This is a friendly and happy school that is built on Christian values and excellent relationships between staff, pupils and their families.
“Leaders have high expectations of what pupils can achieve, how they behave and their attitudes to learning.
“Pupils almost always do their best to live up to these high expectations in the work that they produce and the way that they conduct themselves.”
“Staff do all that they can to inspire pupils to become independent, confident learners.”
St Paul of the Cross Catholic Primary School, Burtonwood – ‘Good’
This primary school received their last Ofsted inspection back in September 2021 which determine it to be a Good school.
The report reads: “Pupils feel happy at St Paul of the Cross. Those pupils who spoke with inspectors said that they enjoy coming to school and that they feel part of the community.
“Pupils work hard and develop resilience in their learning.”
“Staff know pupils’ needs well, especially those pupils with SEND. The special educational needs coordinator helps staff to adapt their plans effectively for pupils with SEND. Staff make sure that all pupils access the full curriculum.”
Sankey Valley St James Church of England Primary School, Great Sankey – ‘Good’
Sankey Valley St James CofE school ‘continue to be a good school’ according to their latest Ofsted inspection back in June 2021.
The inspectors report read: “This school is a calm, safe and welcoming place where pupils love to learn. Pupils enjoy their learning because it captures their interest.
“Everyone is expected to do their best. Pupils achieve well. They talk confidently about the many things that they have learned during their time at school.
“Leaders ensure that pupils are supported to learn as well as they can. Parents and carers commend staff for the support that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive.
“Leaders make sure that everyone has the chance to be involved in all aspects of school life.”
St Monica's Catholic Primary School, Appleton – ‘Good’
Inspectors who visited the school in Appleton said it ‘continues to be a good school’ after their inspection in February 2020.
The inspectors reported: “This is a school where teachers love teaching and pupils love learning. Leaders are ambitious for all pupils to succeed.
“Pupils endeavour to live up to the schools expectations of ‘always ready, always caring, always tidy’. They work hard and achieve well across a range of subjects.
“Leaders and staff have designed a curriculum that develops pupils’ curiosity and independence. They have high expectations for all pupils to be successful, including pupils with SEND.
“As a result, pupils achieve well. For example, most pupils attained the expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6 in 2019.”
Birchwood CofE Primary School, Birchwood – ‘Good’
This Birchwood primary school has been given a Good rating by Ofsted in their visit back in February 2020.
The inspectors reported: “The new headteacher has transformed this school. Pupils now get a good deal. They are at the heart of everything that the school does.
“Pupils feel safe and are happy. They skip into school at the start of the school day with happy, smiley faces. Pupils share warm and caring relationship with staff.”
“The improvements that the new headteacher has made in a short period of time are remarkable.
“She has restructured the staff team and invested heavily in their professional development. As a result, pupils are now achieving well across a range of subjects.”
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Penketh – ‘Good’
According to the education watchdog, this school continues to be a good school. The school received their last inspection back in January 2020.
The official report read: “Pupils are proud to attend this school. The positive relationships between everyone make St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School a happy place to learn.
“Pupils have an active voice in this school through their roles as school councillors and digital leaders.
“They enjoy a varied range of after-school clubs and trips to broaden their experiences beyond the academic curriculum.”
“Leaders, staff and governors are united in their desire to ensure that all pupils get the best possible start to their education.”
To read all the inspections in full, visit the Ofsted website at reports.ofsted.gov.uk/
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