Aintree Davenhill Primary School

About Aintree Davenhill Primary School

Aintree Davenhill Primary School is a state primary in Sefton that is comfortably oversubscribed, a clear signal of its local standing. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 126 applications for 60 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.1 to one. Of those, 67 families put it as their first preference, and 58 of those were offered a place. The school is currently operating above its official capacity of 420 pupils, with 447 children on roll, which suggests it is a popular choice for families in the area. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 13%, which is below the national average for primary schools and indicates a relatively affluent intake compared with many schools in the North West. The school is non-denominational, has a nursery provision, and is led by headteacher Emma Clay.

Academically, Aintree Davenhill performs well above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 75% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Sefton average of 59%. The school ranks 12th out of 59 primary schools in the local authority on this measure, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Subject-level scores are strong: 90% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, 93% in maths, and 80% in writing. At the higher standard, 41% achieved in both reading and maths, though only 2% did so in writing. Average scaled scores were 108 in both reading and maths. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in September 2023, confirmed it remains Good, a rating it has held consistently since at least 2014.

The school offers a solid range of facilities and activities. There is an ICT suite, a library, playing fields, a sensory room and a chapel on site. Sports provision includes cross country, athletics, football, cricket and swimming, while clubs cover drama, choir, eco club and film club. The school has identified SEND provisions for specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, speech, language and communication needs, autistic spectrum disorder, and social, emotional and mental health support. For families looking for a high-performing state primary in Sefton that is in strong demand but not the hardest to get into, Aintree Davenhill is a realistic and well-regarded option. The nearest Outstanding-rated school is St Robert Bellarmine Catholic Primary, 3.3 km away, which may be relevant for families considering alternatives.

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