Palace Fields Primary Academy

About Palace Fields Primary Academy

Palace Fields Primary Academy in Halton is a school that serves a community with significantly higher-than-average levels of disadvantage. With 42.2 per cent of pupils eligible for free school meals, the proportion is well above the national average and reflects the school’s role as a key local resource. The school itself is operating well below capacity, with just 128 pupils on roll against a total capacity of 250, which suggests there is room for growth. Despite this, the school is clearly in demand: for the 2025/26 intake, it received 19 applications for just 8 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.38. All 8 first-preference applicants were offered a place, meaning that while the school is popular among local families, securing a spot is not guaranteed. The school is a mixed, non-denominational state primary for children aged 3 to 11, and it also offers nursery provision.

Academically, Palace Fields presents a mixed picture. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 48 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is below the Halton local authority average of 59 per cent. The school ranks 33rd out of 43 primary schools in Halton on this measure, placing it in the bottom half of the local authority. However, individual subject scores tell a more nuanced story: the average reading score was 104 and the average maths score was 100, both in line with national expectations. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, a graded visit in 2019, rated it Good overall, with Good marks for early years provision, leadership and management, and the quality of education. A subsequent ungraded inspection in November 2024 confirmed that standards are being maintained, a notable improvement from the Requires Improvement rating the school received in 2015.

The school offers a range of facilities including a sports hall, playing fields, a forest school area, art studios, a sensory room and a chapel. Clubs such as gardening, science, film and book club are available, and the sports programme includes cross country, cricket, gymnastics, rounders and dance. The school’s SEND provision is broad, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate and severe learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language communication needs, visual and multi-sensory impairment, and physical disability. Parent views, gathered between September 2024 and September 2025, were largely positive: 86 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy at the school, and 91 per cent felt their child is safe. However, 23 per cent said they would not recommend the school to another parent, a figure worth noting. This is a school that suits families who value a strong pastoral and SEND offer, and who are comfortable with a setting that is still improving its academic outcomes relative to the local area.

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