PRIMARY school selection is only a few months away and parents will be preparing to make the important decision of which school is best suited to their child.
We have compiled a list of the best primary schools in Runcorn and Widnes as rated by Ofsted in the past three years, with the latest inspections being from the year of 2020 and onwards.
Grading by the education watchdogs ranges from inadequate being the lowest to outstanding being the highest rating.
St Clement's Catholic Primary School, Runcorn – ‘Good’
This school was given a grading of Good after their most recent Ofsted inspection back in June 2020.
The report read: “Pupils get a good quality of education at St Clement’s. Leaders have high expectations for every child in English and mathematics. Their expectations in other subjects are not as high.
“Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) achieve well.”
“Reading is a high priority in the school. Leaders are determined that all pupils can read. This is very successful in key stage one. In years one and two, pupils’ attainment in phonics and reading is well above average.”
Castle View Primary School, Halton Brook – ‘Good’
This school in Halton Brook has been rated good by inspectors after a visit back in November 2022.
After reviewing the setting, the report read: “Pupils enjoy coming to Castle View Primary School. They feel safe and happy.
“This is because of the positive relationships they form with their friends and with the caring staff who know pupils well.
“Leaders are ambitious for all pupils. They believe that pupils, including those with SEND, deserve the very best education.
“As a result, leaders make sure that pupils experience a broad and interesting curriculum that enables them to achieve well.”
The Brow Community Primary School, Halton Brow – ‘Good’
Following an inspection from the education watchdogs, this school continued to be rated a good school.
The report read: “Pupils enjoy coming to this school. They are all made to feel part of The Brow community. Pupils know that staff care for them.
“As some pupils explained, ‘We feel safe because our teachers look out for us.’”
“Staff have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour and achievement. Pupils work hard to live up to these expectations and they successfully learn the curriculum.
“They are thrilled to have their positive actions recognised with praise points, or to be named on the ‘shout-out’ board.”
St Gerard's Catholic Primary and Nursery School, Widnes – ‘Good’
This primary school in Widnes have been rated as a good school following an inspection back in November 2021.
Inspectors reported: “Pupils get a good deal at this school. They thrive socially, educationally and emotionally.
“Their delight in attending St Gerard’s is reflected in the way that pupils arrive at school at the start of the day with happy, smiling faces. Staff know the pupils well and value them as individuals.
“Leaders, staff and governors are united in their ambition for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to succeed.
“Pupils strive to live up to these high expectations and achieve well across most subjects.”
Woodside Primary School, Runcorn – ‘Good’
After a recent inspection which took place in June 2022, Ofsted reviewed the school as having made the relevant improvements to move up a rating from ‘Requires Improvement’ to a ‘Good’ school.
The report read: “Pupils are happy and safe at this school. They told inspectors that they enjoy learning and like discovering new things with their friends.
“Pupils form strong and trusting bonds with staff. They know that they can speak to any adult if they are concerned or worried.
“Staff have high expectations of pupils’ achievement. This includes those pupils who are part of Epping class, the specially resourced provision for pupils with SEND (specially resourced provision), and children in the early years.
“This helps most children and pupils to learn well in a range of subjects.”
Beechwood Primary School, Runcorn – ‘Good’
The report from the inspectors at the most recent inspection in back in January 2020 states the setting ‘continues to be a good school’.
It reads: “Pupils are happy at Beechwood Primary School. They like the friendly atmosphere at the school.
“They enjoy a wide range of activities that help them to develop as well-rounded individuals, such as clubs for yoga or cake decoration. They also have opportunities to learn a range of musical instruments.
“Pupils develop confidence by achieving well academically and through the range of activities that help them to develop their personal skills.
“Teachers set high expectations for pupils’ learning. The majority of pupils attain well in reading, writing and mathematics at the end of key stage 1 and key stage 2.”
St Bede's Catholic Junior School, Widnes – ‘Good’
Having previously been an ‘outstanding’ school, this primary setting still achieved well in its most recent inspection carried out by Ofsted which rated the school as good.
The inspectors report read: “As one governor rightly said to us, the school provides ‘layers of opportunity’ for pupils. Leaders have high expectations of all pupils. Pupils are keen to learn.”
“Classrooms are calm. Leaders and staff make sure that pupils develop strong knowledge in many subjects, including computing, mathematics and science.
“They fully include pupils with SEND in the life of the school. Education at St Bede’s prepares pupils properly for secondary school.”
“Pupils learn of potential future careers, for instance as video game designers, internet vloggers, doctors and engineers.”
Our Lady Mother of the Saviour Catholic Primary School, Runcorn – ‘Good’
This primary school in Palacefields is said to continue to be a good school after their recent inspection back in January 2022.
The report stated: “Pupils thrive in this school because of the positive relationships that they have with staff and each other.
“Pupils know they are important and that they have a voice. They develop self-confidence because staff help them to feel good about themselves.
“Pupils understand that leaders expect them to do their best. Pupils work hard and behave well to meet leaders’ high expectations.
“Pupils said that they enjoy challenging work because someone will help them if they need it. They achieve well in a range of subjects.”
St Berteline's CofE Primary School, Runcorn – ‘Good’
In this schools most recent inspection back in February 2020 inspectors found the setting to be a good school.
The report read: “Pupils at St Berteline’s feel like part of a family. They are happy at school. There is a genuine warmth among staff and pupils. Pupils feel cared for and well supported.
“Pupils demonstrate the school’s vision of ‘A love of life, a love of learning’ in their actions. They are enthusiastic learners.”
“Pupils enjoy a wide range of opportunities to enrich their learning. Pupils feel included in all aspects of school life.”
Oakfield Community Primary School, Widnes – ‘Good’
This primary school in Widnes received a rating of good by Ofsted inspectors in their most recent visit back in September 2021.
The report read: “This is a caring, nurturing and happy school. Leaders and staff have high expectations of all pupils.
“Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), form strong relationships with adults and each other. This has a positive impact on their learning.”
“Leaders and staff ensure that pupils’ behaviour never interrupts learning. Pupils’ behaviour around school is exemplary.
“They understand what bullying is. They told inspectors that adults in school would help them to sort out any worries or concerns about bullying.”
The Grange, Runcorn - 'Good'
This primary school setting was rated as good by Ofsted inspectors following their inspection in May 2022.
The report read: "Pupils are proud to be part of this respectful community.
"They told inspectors that the school community is ‘accepting of anyone’ and that they can be themselves without fear of prejudice.
"The trusting relationships that pupils, including children in the early years, have with staff help them to feel happy and safe in school. Pupils are confident that staff will help them if they have any concerns."
To read all the inspections in full, visit the Ofsted website at reports.ofsted.gov.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here