Having high-achieving students is far from the only factor that determines how good a school is, but for families who get a choice in the matter it can be a good sign that their little one will get the attention they need to thrive.
We’re taking a look at the top-rated primary schools around the country to help families make an informed decision on what’s right for them and their child, and today we’re visiting the North West. The region has an almost countless number of high quality, state-funded primary schools, so much so that we’ve had to set stringent criteria for inclusion in the list.
The first is schools rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted - meaning the quality of education provided, student behaviour and attitudes, school leadership and management, and student safeguarding have all been found to be excellent.
The second is the percentage of its pupils who completed the national curriculum’s key stage 2 in the 2022/23 school year, and met the expected standards for reading, writing and maths. We’ve selected only schools which surpassed both the national and local authority area’s averages.
To narrow it down even further, only schools which had at least 85% of pupils meet or exceed the expected standard. This has given many smaller, local village or faith schools a chance to shine. But equally, even though they have more students from more diverse backgrounds to get across the goalpost, some larger city schools have earned a spot too.
Here were the North West’s top-scoring super primary schools from across the region:
9. Our Lady and All Saints Roman Catholic Primary School
Our Lady and All Saints is a Catholic Primary school in Parbold, Lancashire. Last year 93% of its pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to a local average of 59%, and a national average of 60%. | Google
10. The Olive School, Blackburn
The Olive School is a Muslim primary school in Blackburn, Lancashire. It also welcomes non-Muslim students. Last year 92% of its pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to local and national averages of 60%. | Google
11. The Olive School, Bolton
This is another Muslim primary school run by the Star Academies Trust, this one in Bolton, Greater Manchester. Last year 92% of its pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to 64% locally and 60% nationally. | Google
12. All Souls Church of England Primary School
All Souls is an Anglican primary school in Heywood, Lancashire. Last year 90% of its pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to 57% locally and 60% nationally. | Google