Mereside Primary Academy
Blackpool, FY4 4RR · Blackpool · primary school
Check the area around this school
25th of 29 primary schools in Blackpool we can score, 30 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.2/10 against 219 of them, against 0.5/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 18.0 · 1 | 40% | 0.03 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Mereside Primary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 18.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0%, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.5 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join football, netball, rugby, judo, badminton, multi-skills, cup stacking, and cheerleading clubs. Trips include nature walks, farm visits, museums, and local attractions. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 266 pupils against a stated capacity of 454. 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 strategies are used to improve attainment in writing?
What Ofsted said about Mereside Primary Academy
Overview
This ungraded inspection confirms the school remains ‘good’, though evidence suggests a graded inspection might yield a lower judgement. The school is described as ‘central to the local community’ where pupils are ‘happy’ and ‘trust their teachers’. However, inconsistencies in curriculum delivery and early reading provision hinder some pupils’ progress.
Strengths
- Pupils ‘behave well’ and are encouraged to ‘treat others with respect’, with staff addressing issues ‘sensitively and effectively’.
- The school has developed an ‘ambitious and well-thought-out curriculum’ in many subjects, carefully considering content order.
- Staff ‘quickly forge warm relationships’ with new Nursery and Reception children, accurately identifying additional needs.
- The school offers ‘a wide range of opportunities’ beyond the curriculum, including trips and clubs, to broaden pupils’ interests.
- The local governing board ‘fulfils its duties effectively’ with smooth working relationships with the academy trust.
Areas to improve
- Curriculum delivery is variable; some staff do not design suitable learning activities, hindering pupils’ ability to build a ‘secure body of knowledge’.
- Assessment strategies are not always used effectively to identify gaps in prior learning, causing knowledge gaps for some pupils.
- The phonics programme is not taught consistently well, and some pupils read books that do not match their known sounds, delaying fluency.
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 | 62% |
| 2023/24 | 47% |
| 2024/25 | 18% |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of FY4 4RR, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT