Forty-two schools in Liverpool and Merseyside currently ‘require improvement’, according to Ofsted.
Ofsted is the regulatory body for schools, providing institutions with ratings on a four-point scale, ranging from 'inadequate' to 'outstanding'. Grades are based on overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviours and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.
Concerns have been raised about Ofsted’s single-word judgements in recent months, and the body has received more backlash following BBC Panorama’s expose on bullying and abuse at Wirral Life school, which was rated as ‘good’.
However, many parents look at inspection reports as a way to decide which school is best suited to their children, with reports providing an in-depth analysis of how the school operated during a one to two day visit.
We have scoured the ratings to find out which schools Ofsted believe to not be operating as well as they should be, with 42 schools across the region ranked 'requires improvement’ in 2024.
Below are all of the Merseyside primary and secondary schools currently* ranked as ‘requires improvement’ by Ofsted. Did your child’s school make the list? *Ratings are correct as of June 19, 2024. Full inspection reports can be found here.
Concerns have been raised about Ofsted’s single-word judgements in recent months, and the body has received more backlash following BBC Panorama’s expose on bullying and abuse at Wirral Life school, which was rated as ‘good’.
![Published in July 2023, the Ofsted report for De La Salle School reads: "This school has an atmosphere of warmth and friendliness that helps pupils feel at
ease. The strong, positive relationships between staff and pupils exemplify the
school’s values.
Pupils have responded positively to leaders’ raised expectations of behaviour. They
told inspectors that behaviour has improved considerably recently. Around school,
pupils behave well. During lessons, most teachers deal appropriately with low-level
disruption. Overall, pupils try their best during lessons and they move around the
school calmly and sensibly.
Since the previous inspection, leaders have acted appropriately to improve the
quality of education for pupils. Pupils with special educational needs and/or
disabilities (SEND) have access to the same ambitious curriculum as their peers.
However, in some subjects, there remain weaknesses in how well the curriculum is
delivered. This means that in these subjects, some pupils do not achieve as well as
they should."](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/04/15/11/50/De%20La%20Salle%20School%2C%20Eccleston%2C%20St%20Helens%20WA10.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
9. De La Salle School, Eccleston, St Helens WA10
Published in July 2023, the Ofsted report for De La Salle School reads: "This school has an atmosphere of warmth and friendliness that helps pupils feel at ease. The strong, positive relationships between staff and pupils exemplify the school’s values. Pupils have responded positively to leaders’ raised expectations of behaviour. They told inspectors that behaviour has improved considerably recently. Around school, pupils behave well. During lessons, most teachers deal appropriately with low-level disruption. Overall, pupils try their best during lessons and they move around the school calmly and sensibly. Since the previous inspection, leaders have acted appropriately to improve the quality of education for pupils. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have access to the same ambitious curriculum as their peers. However, in some subjects, there remain weaknesses in how well the curriculum is delivered. This means that in these subjects, some pupils do not achieve as well as they should." | Google Street ViewPhoto: Google Street View
![Published in September 2023, the Ofsted report for Educ8 Liverpool states: "Leaders have high expectations for pupils’ behaviour and achievement, including
those pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils behave
well and enjoy each other’s company. They are polite and welcoming to visitors.
Pupils feel safe. Leaders deal swiftly with any incidents of bullying or name-calling.
Leaders are ambitious for pupils academically and have set about improving the
quality of the curriculum. However, the curriculum has not been finalised in all
subject areas. This hinders how well some pupils learn. Additionally, a few pupils do
not receive the support that they require to read accurately and fluently."](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/04/15/11/22/Educ8%20Liverpool%2C%20Seaforth%2C%20Sefton%20L21.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
10. Educ8 Liverpool, Seaforth, Sefton L21
Published in September 2023, the Ofsted report for Educ8 Liverpool states: "Leaders have high expectations for pupils’ behaviour and achievement, including those pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils behave well and enjoy each other’s company. They are polite and welcoming to visitors. Pupils feel safe. Leaders deal swiftly with any incidents of bullying or name-calling. Leaders are ambitious for pupils academically and have set about improving the quality of the curriculum. However, the curriculum has not been finalised in all subject areas. This hinders how well some pupils learn. Additionally, a few pupils do not receive the support that they require to read accurately and fluently." | Google Street ViewPhoto: Google Street View
![Published in January 2024, the Ofsted report for Gateacre School reads: "Most pupils enjoy coming to this friendly and welcoming school. They maintain
positive relationships with their teachers. This helps most pupils, including pupils
with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to feel safe.
The school has raised its expectations of pupils’ academic achievement. However,
pupils do not achieve as well as they should. This is because there are weaknesses
in the design and delivery of the curriculum in some subjects. In addition, the sixthform programme of study is not broad or ambitious enough. Students do not
develop a deep and secure body of knowledge securely over time. This limits their
success in their next stage of education, employment or training."](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/04/15/10/05/Untitled%20design%20%2857%29.png?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
11. Gateacre School, Belle Vale, Liverpool L25
Published in January 2024, the Ofsted report for Gateacre School reads: "Most pupils enjoy coming to this friendly and welcoming school. They maintain positive relationships with their teachers. This helps most pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to feel safe. The school has raised its expectations of pupils’ academic achievement. However, pupils do not achieve as well as they should. This is because there are weaknesses in the design and delivery of the curriculum in some subjects. In addition, the sixthform programme of study is not broad or ambitious enough. Students do not develop a deep and secure body of knowledge securely over time. This limits their success in their next stage of education, employment or training." | Google Street View
![Published in November 2021, the Ofsted report for Hope Academy states: "Pupils treat each other well. They said that nasty comments or other unkind
behaviours are infrequent. Pupils trust staff to deal with these occasional incidents
of poor behaviour or bullying effectively. Pupils have positive attitudes to their
learning. Their conduct in lessons is consistently good.
Pupils know how to keep themselves and others safe. They use this to support each
other. They are confident in turning to staff when they need help or support.
Although the quality of education that pupils receive is improving, it remains too
varied. Pupils do not consistently benefit from activities that help them to know and
remember more.
Pupils at Hope Academy extend their kindness beyond the school community. They
willingly contribute to a range of local charities, including food banks and hospices."](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/04/15/11/12/Hope%20Academy%2C%20Newton-le-Willows%2C%20St%20Helens%20WA12.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
12. Hope Academy, Newton-le-Willows, St Helens WA12
Published in November 2021, the Ofsted report for Hope Academy states: "Pupils treat each other well. They said that nasty comments or other unkind behaviours are infrequent. Pupils trust staff to deal with these occasional incidents of poor behaviour or bullying effectively. Pupils have positive attitudes to their learning. Their conduct in lessons is consistently good. Pupils know how to keep themselves and others safe. They use this to support each other. They are confident in turning to staff when they need help or support. Although the quality of education that pupils receive is improving, it remains too varied. Pupils do not consistently benefit from activities that help them to know and remember more. Pupils at Hope Academy extend their kindness beyond the school community. They willingly contribute to a range of local charities, including food banks and hospices." | Google Street ViewPhoto: Google Street View