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:
21. Trinity and St Michael's CofE/Methodist Primary School
Trinity and St Michael's is an Anglican primary school in Leyland, Lancashire. Last year 88% of its pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to 59% locally and 60% nationally. | Google
22. Our Lady's RC Primary School Wigan
This is a Catholic primary school in Aspull, Greater Manchester. Last year 88% of its pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to 64% locally and 60% nationally. | Google
23. Ash Grove Academy
Ash Grove is a primary school in Macclesfield, Cheshire. Last year 87% of its pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to 62% locally and 60% nationally. | Google
24. Woodfield Primary School
Woodfield is a mixed primary school in Wigan, Lancashire Last year 87% of its pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to 64% locally and 60% nationally. | Google