Matthew Arnold Primary School
Liverpool, L8 9UB · Liverpool · primary school
Check the area around this school
64th of 104 primary schools in Liverpool we can score, 114 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 — 5.3/10 against 424 of them, against 3.4/10 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 | 59.0 · 37 | 40% | 1.47 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 3.0 · 29 | 25% | 0.73 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Matthew Arnold Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 59.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 3.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2025. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 276 pupils against a stated capacity of 200. 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
Since the higher standard attainment is 3.0%, what specific support is provided to pupils aiming to exceed the expected standard? How does the school manage class sizes given the current roll exceeds the designated capacity?
What Ofsted said about Matthew Arnold Primary School
Overview
This ungraded inspection found that aspects of the school’s work “may not be as strong as at the time of the previous inspection,” triggering a future graded inspection. Despite this, pupils are described as “happy and safe,” benefiting from positive relationships and a strong focus on reading and personal development.
Strengths
- Reading is a clear strength, with phonics taught well and texts chosen to deepen understanding of “diversity, equality and different cultures.”
- Pupils value their relationships with staff and follow the ‘Matthew Arnold Way’ to manage emotions and behave well.
- The school is “effective at identifying pupils’ SEND early” and helps them become “confident and independent individuals.”
- Early years staff interact skilfully with children, prioritising communication and language to develop vocabulary.
- Overall attendance has improved due to a clear strategy, and governors work well with the school to provide a broad education.
Areas to improve
- Assessment in subjects like writing is inconsistent, meaning teachers do not always identify gaps in learning, preventing pupils from building knowledge effectively over time.
- Adaptations for some pupils with SEND are not consistently well chosen, hampering their ability to access the intended curriculum.
- Attendance systems are not yet effective enough for a small number of persistently absent pupils who miss important learning.
- Strategies to support staff well-being and reduce workload concerns are “not fully effective” and require further refinement.
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 | 47% |
| 2023/24 | 43% |
| 2024/25 | 59% |
| 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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