Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School
St Helens, WA9 2JE · St. Helens · primary school
Check the area around this school
22nd of 52 primary schools in St. Helens we can score, 54 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 — 6.3/10 against 2,424 of them, against 5.2/10 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 | 62.0 · 44 | 40% | 1.74 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 10.0 · 66 | 25% | 1.65 |
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 Primary School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, following an inspection in 2025-01. In 2024/25, 62.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 10.0% of pupils achieved this, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join dance and cheerleading clubs, and the school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 213 pupils against a stated capacity of 248. 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 in the coming years?
What Ofsted said about Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School
Overview
Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The report describes a welcoming environment where pupils feel valued, with high expectations for learning and exemplary behaviour. Staff deliver the curriculum with expertise, ensuring pupils with special educational needs and disabilities are well supported.
Strengths
- Pupils feel "loved" and "valued" in a welcoming school where they are "happy" and "confident".
- The school provides an "ambitious curriculum" with clearly set out knowledge and vocabulary, starting from early years.
- Staff are "skilled at making necessary adaptations" to support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
- Phonics is delivered "consistently well", with prompt help for those needing additional support.
- Governors are "committed and knowledgeable", successfully holding leaders to account while supporting staff well-being.
Areas to improve
- In a minority of subjects, pupils do not revisit learning from previous terms and years regularly, hindering their ability to build on prior knowledge.
- Checking strategies in some subjects are in the "early stages of implementation", meaning checks on learning are not as purposeful and gaps in knowledge may go unaddressed.
Safeguarding
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 | 65% |
| 2023/24 | 78% |
| 2024/25 | 62% |
| 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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