Holy Family Catholic Primary School
114%
Capacity
338
Pupils
2.0x
Demand
About Holy Family Catholic Primary School
Holy Family Catholic Primary School in Knowsley is a state primary for children aged 3 to 11, and it is currently significantly oversubscribed. With 338 pupils on roll against a capacity of 297, the school is operating above its official limit, a clear sign of local demand. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 89 applications for 44 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.02; 41 of those offers went to first-preference families out of 43 first-preference applications. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 22.2%, which is higher than the national primary average of around 23.8% but sits within a typical range for a Knowsley school. The school has a Roman Catholic religious character and is led by headteacher Kevin Quigley. It also offers nursery provision for children from age three, making it a natural choice for families looking for a single-site journey from nursery through to Year 6.
Academically, Holy Family performs well above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 74% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to the Knowsley average of 60%. The school ranks 6th out of 47 primary schools in the borough, placing it in the top 13% locally, and sits in the top 25% nationally for this combined measure. A fifth of pupils (20%) achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and maths, while average scaled scores in both reading and maths were 107, comfortably above the national benchmark of 100. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, the school retained its overall Good rating, with leadership and management judged Outstanding. The previous graded inspection in 2013 also rated the school Good overall, with early years provision and leadership both scoring 2 at that time.
The school offers a solid range of facilities including a library, outdoor playground, playing fields, art studios, gymnasium, sports hall and a chapel. Sports provision covers football, cricket, dance and swimming, and there is a varied club programme with science, coding, drama, book club, choir and film club. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists SEND support for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and physical disabilities. Given its oversubscribed status and strong local ranking, Holy Family is a popular choice for Catholic families and those who prioritise a school with strong academic outcomes and a clear sense of community within the Knowsley area.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 3 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Arncliffe Road, Liverpool, Knowsley, L25 9PA |
| Headteacher | Kevin Quigley |
| Local Authority | Knowsley |
| Number of Pupils | 338 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 22.2% |
| School Capacity | 338 / 297 (114% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
24 May 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (24 May 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 10 Oct 2013. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (74%)
3068th of 13,686
Nationally
439th of 2,065
In North West
6th of 47
In Knowsley
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
74%
Expected Standard
20%
Higher Standard
'22/23
78%
'23/24
74%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed44
89
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
43 families put this school as their 1st choice (48% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Below the national average (25%).
Lower than the national median (10%) — mostly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British90.2%
- Mixed3.6%
- White (other)3.3%
- Asian2.1%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Better than half of schools in England.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
11
Total schools
11
Oversubscribed
9
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holy Family Catholic Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Arncliffe Road, Liverpool
Knowsley, L25 9PA
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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