Moss Side Primary School

About Moss Side Primary School

Moss Side Primary School sits in the top quarter of primary schools nationally for the proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, with 75% hitting that benchmark. That figure is well above the Lancashire local authority average of 60% for primary schools, putting the school in a strong position compared with its peers across the county. In the South Ribble area specifically, it ranks 6th out of 35 primary schools on this measure, placing it comfortably in the top 20% locally. The school’s overall Ofsted rating is Good, following an inspection in 2024, though it’s worth noting that the previous inspection in 2013 judged it Outstanding. The most recent inspection did not assign an overall effectiveness grade, but the breakdown shows personal development remains Outstanding, while quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, early years provision, and leadership and management are all rated Good.

Looking at the KS2 results in more detail, the school performs solidly across the core subjects. In reading, 81% of pupils met the expected standard, with an average score of 106, and 33% reached the higher standard. Maths saw 78% at the expected level, an average score of 105, and 28% achieving the higher threshold. Writing was slightly lower, with 75% at the expected standard and just 6% at the higher level. The combined reading, writing and maths higher standard figure is 6%, which is modest but reflects the school’s focus on securing the expected standard for the majority. The school’s ranking score of 75 places it in the top 25% nationally, and within the North West region it ranks 383rd out of 2,065 primary schools, which is comfortably in the top 20% regionally. These outcomes suggest a school that consistently delivers above-average results without being among the very highest-achieving.

Moss Side Primary is a state-funded, mixed primary school for children aged 4 to 11, with 246 pupils on roll against a capacity of 259. It is oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, there were 98 applications for 36 places, with 34 offers made to first-preference applicants from 38 first-preference requests, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.72. The school serves a community where 29.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, above the national average. Facilities include a Forest School, playing fields, sports hall, art studios, music rooms, library and a chapel. SEND provision covers a wide range of needs, including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language difficulties, hearing and visual impairments, and autistic spectrum disorder. Parent views are overwhelmingly positive: 97% would recommend the school, and 82% strongly agree their child is happy there. This is a school that suits families looking for strong academic outcomes in a supportive, well-equipped setting, though competition for places is high.

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