Our Lady of Walsingham Primary School

About Our Lady of Walsingham Primary School

Our Lady of Walsingham Primary School in Sefton serves a community with a high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals at 46.8%, more than double the national average, and this context is key to understanding its performance. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022 rated it Requires Improvement overall, a downgrade from its previous Good rating in 2015. While the local authority average for Key Stage 2 attainment is 59, the school’s own results are not provided in the data, making a direct academic comparison impossible. However, the Ofsted breakdown shows a mixed picture: behaviour and attitudes were judged Good, but quality of education, personal development, early years provision, and leadership and management all require improvement. This suggests a school that is working hard to maintain order and a positive culture while addressing weaknesses in teaching and curriculum delivery.

Academically, the school faces clear challenges. The absence of published Progress 8 or KS2 SATs scores means we cannot benchmark its outcomes against the Sefton average of 59, but the Ofsted judgement of Requires Improvement for quality of education signals that pupil progress and attainment are not yet where they need to be. The school’s capacity is 210, with 201 pupils on roll, so it is nearly full. It is also oversubscribed for the 2025/26 intake, receiving 26 applications for 21 places, with 18 first-preference offers made. This suggests local demand remains strong despite the inspection rating, possibly due to its Catholic character or the sense of community it fosters. The nursery provision adds a further draw for families with younger children.

The school offers a range of facilities including a sensory room, forest school, chapel, and sports hall, alongside clubs such as film, gardening, choir, eco club, and science club. Sports include netball, dance, tennis, and football. Its SEND provisions are comprehensive, covering specific learning difficulties, moderate and profound learning needs, social and emotional mental health, speech and language issues, physical disabilities, and autistic spectrum disorder. This makes it a potentially strong choice for families whose children require additional support, particularly given the high FSM percentage and the school’s evident focus on inclusion. For parents prioritising a Catholic primary with a nurturing, community feel and strong SEND support, Our Lady of Walsingham is worth considering, though those seeking top academic outcomes may want to look at nearby outstanding alternatives like St Robert Bellarmine, 1.8 km away.

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