Merton Bank Primary School
St Helens, WA9 1EJ · St. Helens · primary school
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52nd 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.2/10 against 1,059 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 | 28.0 · 2 | 40% | 0.09 |
| Ofsted | 3 | 35% | 0.10 |
| 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.
Merton Bank Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 28.0% 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% of pupils, 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 Requires improvement in June 2024.
Getting in
The published school roll is 193 pupils against a stated capacity of 236. 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 plan to improve attainment in reading, writing and maths following the 2024 inspection? What specific support is available for pupils who have not yet reached the expected standard? How does the school manage class sizes given the current roll of 193?
What Ofsted said about Merton Bank Primary School
Overview
The report describes Merton Bank Primary School as a "calm, inviting place" where pupils feel valued and behave well. While leadership is praised for being "inspirational" and driving improvements in behaviour and early reading, the overall effectiveness is judged as "Requires improvement" due to inconsistencies in curriculum design and persistent attendance issues.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate "good" behaviour, listening carefully to adults and celebrating differences, with bullying and discrimination "not tolerated".
- Staff model school values effectively, and parents report that "nothing is too much trouble" for them.
- Early years provision is strong, with children getting a "solid start in reading" and developing language and number skills well.
- Safeguarding arrangements are "effective", and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well and included in school life.
- The governing body works effectively with the school, carefully considering staff workload and well-being during improvements.
Areas to improve
- The school must define essential knowledge and vocabulary in some subjects to help pupils build a "rich body of subject knowledge".
- Teachers need to ensure pupils, including those in the early years, learn to form letters "accurately and legibly" to improve writing fluency.
- The school should support families to improve attendance rates, as "too many pupils remain persistently absent".
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 | 52% |
| 2023/24 | 41% |
| 2024/25 | 28% |
| 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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