Northcote Primary School

About Northcote Primary School

Parents at Northcote Primary School are overwhelmingly positive about their children's experience. In the most recent Parent View survey, covering September 2024 to September 2025, 85% of the 53 respondents said they would recommend the school. The strongest signals came from questions about happiness and safety: 98% of parents either agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy, and every single parent agreed or strongly agreed that their child feels safe. Behaviour is also seen as a strength, with 89% agreeing the school ensures pupils are well behaved. The school is clearly popular locally — for the 2025/26 admissions round, it received 101 applications for 59 places, an oversubscription ratio of 1.71. Of those, 62 were first-preference applications, and all 59 places went to first-preference families. That level of demand suggests a school that local parents trust and actively choose.

Academically, Northcote delivers solid results that sit around the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 57% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, just two percentage points below the Liverpool local authority average of 59%. The school’s ranking within the LA places it 58th out of 102 primary schools, putting it in the middle of the pack. Individual subject scores are respectable: a reading average score of 104, maths average of 105, and writing at 72% expected. Higher-standard attainment is more modest — 9% reached the higher standard across all three subjects — but 28% achieved higher in writing, which is a bright spot. Ofsted’s most recent graded inspection, in October 2019, rated the school Good overall, with personal development judged Outstanding. An ungraded inspection in October 2024 confirmed that standards are being maintained, and the early years provision remains Good.

The school is well equipped for a primary of its size, with 443 pupils on roll against a capacity of 450. Facilities include art studios, music rooms, an ICT suite and an outdoor playground, plus a chapel. Sports provision covers athletics, tennis, cross country and cricket, and there is a good range of clubs including book club, gardening, film club, science club, art club and eco club. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists SEND support for specific learning difficulties, speech and language needs, social and emotional mental health, physical disability and autistic spectrum disorder. The nursery provision means children can join from age three. With 48% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a diverse and disadvantaged community. Northcote suits families who want a well-regarded local primary with strong pastoral care, a Good Ofsted rating and a clear sense of community buy-in — the oversubscription figures speak for themselves.

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