St Michael with St Thomas CE Primary School

About St Michael with St Thomas CE Primary School

St Michael with St Thomas CE Primary School in Halton has been rated Good overall by Ofsted following its July 2023 inspection, a notable improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2018. The inspection report highlights real strengths in behaviour and attitudes, and personal development, both of which were judged Outstanding. In terms of academic outcomes, the school’s most telling metric is the proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined: 55% did so in the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments. That figure sits just below the Halton local authority average of 59%, placing the school 30th out of 43 primary schools in the area. While the combined expected standard figure is a touch behind the LA benchmark, individual subject results tell a more nuanced story, with 79% of pupils reaching the expected standard in maths and 72% in both reading and writing.

Looking closer at the KS2 data, the school’s average scores in reading (104) and maths (102) are in line with national expectations, though the proportion of pupils achieving the higher standard in reading, writing and maths combined is just 7%. In reading, 21% of pupils reached the higher standard, and 17% did so in writing, which suggests some strong individual performance even if the combined higher figure is low. The school’s overall ranking score of 55 places it in the bottom 50% nationally, but it is worth noting that the local authority has only two primary schools rated Outstanding, so Good is a solid position in this context. The Ofsted report also praised the quality of education and leadership and management as Good, while early years provision was rated Good too, giving a consistent picture of a school that has turned around from its previous inspection and is now delivering a reliable standard of education.

With 178 pupils against a capacity of 210, the school is not at full roll, but it is oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 intake there were 41 applications for 19 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.16. All 19 first-preference applicants were offered a place, which is reassuring for local families. The school serves a community with above-average disadvantage, with 40.4% of pupils eligible for free school meals. Facilities include a library, music rooms, an ICT suite, a chapel and playing fields, and the school runs clubs ranging from chess and eco club to drama and science club. SEND provision is broad, covering specific learning difficulties, speech and language needs, autism, visual impairment and physical disability. This is a school that suits families looking for a Church of England primary with strong pastoral care, a clear improvement trajectory, and a welcoming approach to children with additional needs.

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