Knotty Ash Primary School

About Knotty Ash Primary School

Knotty Ash Primary School is a state-funded, mixed primary in the Liverpool local authority, serving children aged 3 to 11. It sits within a competitive local landscape where the top-performing peers include Sudley Primary School and Bishop Martin Church of England Primary School, Woolton, both with a ranking score of 86, and Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School at 83. The school itself holds a Good rating from Ofsted, a grade it has maintained across both its most recent graded inspection in 2012 and its ungraded inspection in 2022, which confirmed the school remains Good. With 248 pupils on roll against a capacity of 210, the school is oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 intake, it received 54 applications for 29 places, with 26 of those going to first-preference families. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 28.3%, which is notably higher than the national average, reflecting the school's role in a diverse local community.

Academically, the school's most recent Ofsted report rated leadership and management as Good, and the overall effectiveness as Good. The previous graded inspection in 2007 also rated overall effectiveness as Good, with early years provision at that time graded as Outstanding. While specific Key Stage 2 SATs results are not provided in the data, the local authority average for KS2 attainment is 59, which gives a useful benchmark for parents to consider when comparing outcomes. The school does not have a sixth form, as it is a primary-only setting, but it does offer nursery provision for children from age 3. The absence of published Progress 8 or A-Level data is typical for a primary school, so parents should focus on the Ofsted judgement and the school's strong local reputation as evidenced by its oversubscription rate of 1.86 applications per place.

The school is well-equipped with facilities including a sports hall, gymnasium, playing fields, art studios, a library, a sensory room, and a dining hall. Sports offered include swimming, cricket, tennis, netball, football, and gymnastics, and there are clubs such as science club, choir, and drama. For families with children who have additional needs, the school provides a broad range of SEND provisions, including support for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech, language and communication needs, hearing impairment, autistic spectrum disorder, and social, emotional and mental health needs, alongside a resourced provision. The nearest Outstanding-rated school is Emmaus Church of England and Catholic Primary School, 3.7 km away, which may be relevant for families considering alternatives. Knotty Ash Primary School is a strong, well-regarded local option for Liverpool families, particularly those seeking a Good-rated school with a nursery and comprehensive SEND support, though its oversubscription means early application is essential.

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