Hillside Community Primary School
Skelmersdale, WN8 6DE · Lancashire · primary school
Check the area around this school
292nd of 448 primary schools in Lancashire we can score, 481 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 4.1/10 against 650 of them, against 2.7/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 52.0 · 22 | 40% | 0.88 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 4.0 · 35 | 25% | 0.88 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Hillside Community Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 52.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 4.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 151 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who are below the expected standard in maths? What specific activities are included in the after-school club? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2024 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Hillside Community Primary School
Overview
Pupils are described as "happy, content and caring," forming "strong and trusting bonds" with peers and staff. The school delivers an "interesting and exciting curriculum" where children in the early years "achieve especially well," supported by effective teaching and a focus on reading.
Strengths
- The curriculum is well-ordered so that "pupils’ knowledge and skills build securely and effectively over time."
- Reading is "at the heart of the curriculum," with an improved phonics approach helping pupils develop "fluency and comprehension skills quickly."
- Staff identify pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) "quickly" and modify materials to ensure they "follow the school’s full curriculum."
- Pupils demonstrate maturity through leadership roles and community involvement, such as "litter-picking campaigns."
- Governors provide "appropriate challenge and support," while staff appreciate that the school is "mindful of their workload and well-being."
Areas to improve
- In a few subjects, staff do not "routinely revisit and reinforce pupils’ prior learning," meaning some pupils do not commit previous learning to their "long-term memory."
- Initiatives to improve attendance are not having the "rapid impact that the school would like," with some pupils’ low attendance limiting their achievement.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 57% |
| 2023/24 | 65% |
| 2024/25 | 52% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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