Holy Spirit Catholic Academy
Bootle, L30 2NR · Sefton · primary school
Check the area around this school
53rd of 69 primary schools in Sefton we can score, 74 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 — 4.9/10 against 348 of them, against 3.0/10 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 | 48.0 · 16 | 62% | 1.00 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 7.0 · 51 | 38% | 1.95 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Holy Spirit Catholic Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 48.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 7.0% of pupils, matching the national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.0 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 151 pupils against a stated capacity of 262. 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 to bridge the gap between the current 48.0% attainment rate and the national median of 64%? What specific strategies are used to help students reach the higher standard? How are the breakfast and after-school clubs structured to support learning and wellbeing?
What Ofsted said about Holy Spirit Catholic Academy
Overview
Holy Spirit Catholic Academy is described as a ‘dynamic school’ where pupils ‘relish their time’ and develop strong relationships with staff. The report highlights a ‘rapid journey of improvement’ since the school became an academy, noting that current pupils are ‘better equipped for the next stage of their education’ despite historical data gaps.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate high expectations for behaviour, with older children acting as ‘positive role models’ and contributing to a ‘happy place in which to learn and play’.
- The curriculum is ‘well-crafted’ and meets diverse needs, with teachers using ‘strong subject knowledge to explain new learning clearly’.
- Staff provide ‘impressive support for their wider development’, helping pupils ‘recognise and regulate their emotions’ and prepare for life beyond the local area.
- The school identifies pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) effectively, making ‘careful adaptations to their teaching’.
- Attendance has improved through successful partnerships with parents, including the use of a ‘magic’ breakfast club to ensure punctuality.
Areas to improve
- The school must support staff in using early reading strategies ‘consistently well’ so that struggling pupils gain ‘secure phonics knowledge’ and read with fluency.
- Curriculum design in a ‘small number of foundation subjects’ requires refinement to ensure teachers know exactly what knowledge must be taught and recalled.
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 | 29% |
| 2023/24 | 38% |
| 2024/25 | 48% |
| 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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