Our Lady of Compassion Catholic Primary School, Liverpool Review 2026

Reading is treated as a whole-school priority here, right down to an in-school Harry Potter library and pupil roles such as reading ambassadors. The latest formal inspection activity (an ungraded inspection in March 2025) found the school had taken effective action to maintain standards, with safeguarding judged effective.

For families looking at a Catholic primary in Formby, the draw is twofold. First, results are strong, with Key Stage 2 outcomes placing the school comfortably above England averages. Second, personal development is not treated as an add-on, pupils are given structured responsibility through environmental and leadership roles, alongside wide access to music, sport, and enrichment.

This is a school that communicates its Catholic identity clearly. The mission statement frames daily life in explicitly faith-based language, and the admissions information makes it equally clear that families are expected to respect the ethos, regardless of their own background.

Pastoral tone, as described in the most recent formal inspection write-up, is warm but not permissive. Expectations for behaviour are high, and pupils are described as consistently courteous and considerate at both learning and social times. A school that can combine this with pupil confidence tends to suit children who like structure and respond well to clear routines.

Early years has particular prominence because provision begins at age 3. Staff are described as building a language-rich environment from the start, using stories, songs, and rhymes to develop communication and early literacy habits before formal reading instruction properly begins.

Key Stage 2 results (2024) are a clear strength:

• 79.7% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%.

• At the higher standard, 34.7% reached greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics, well above the England average of 8%.

• Average scaled scores were 105 in reading and 109 in mathematics, with grammar, punctuation and spelling at 109.

These results align with the school’s ranking profile. The school is ranked 2,443rd in England and 18th in Liverpool for primary outcomes (FindMySchool proprietary ranking based on official data), a position that sits above England average and within the top quarter nationally.

The implication for families is straightforward. Pupils are not only meeting the basics, they are also achieving at the higher standard at a rate that is materially above England norms, which usually correlates with strong classroom routines, tight curriculum sequencing, and effective intervention for pupils who need extra support.

The curriculum intent described publicly is ambitious, with subject planning that aims to build knowledge cumulatively and make use of local context. In the latest inspection write-up, curriculum design is described as flowing from early years through to Year 6, and teachers are described as knowing what to teach and in what order.

Reading is the clearest example of the school’s approach in practice. The school uses structured phonics teaching, matched reading books, and frequent opportunities for pupils to read for pleasure. The “Harry Potter library” is not just a gimmick, it signals that reading identity is being developed as well as reading skill.

A balanced view matters too. The March 2025 write-up highlights that, in a small number of subjects, links to prior learning were not yet consistently embedded, which can make it harder for pupils to remember content over time. The school’s stated direction is to extend the successful curriculum revisions across the remaining subjects.

As a primary school in Formby (Sefton), most pupils will move on to local secondary provision at age 11. In this part of the borough, families commonly look at Formby High School and Range High School, alongside other Sefton options depending on transport, sibling links, and individual preference.

Practically, the most important transition signal is less about a named destination list and more about readiness. Strong KS2 attainment, a structured behaviour culture, and the emphasis on responsibility (eco roles, ambassadors, leadership tasks) all tend to translate well into Year 7 expectations, particularly for pupils who benefit from clear rules and routines.

This is a state school with no tuition fees, but it is also voluntary aided Catholic, which shapes admissions. Reception applications are made through Sefton’s coordinated admissions process, and families seeking consideration under faith criteria should also complete the school’s supplementary form.

Competition for places is real. The school has an admission number of 30 for 2026 entry, and Sefton’s published admissions pattern data shows demand exceeding places in recent years.

For September 2026 Reception entry (Sefton):

• Applications opened 1 September 2025

• Closing date was 15 January 2026

• National offer day for primary places is 16 April 2026

Nursery admissions

Nursery is a separate route from Reception. The school’s published process is to complete the nursery application form after a child’s second birthday, with start dates and settling arranged once the child is three, including visits and a suitable start date agreed with the family.

The school’s pastoral picture is closely tied to its behaviour culture. Pupils are described in the most recent inspection write-up as behaving impeccably, with skilled staff support to help pupils who find self-regulation harder so they can learn calmly alongside peers.

There is also a strong emphasis on values-in-action. Examples include pupils writing to local and national politicians about issues they care about, and active fundraising for charities, including those supporting children locally. The implication is that the school aims to develop confident, articulate pupils who see civic contribution as normal rather than exceptional.

Extracurricular life is unusually specific for a primary of this size, and it is not limited to the standard offer.

Music as a whole-school entitlement

In the March 2025 inspection write-up, all pupils are described as learning to play several musical instruments, and pupils are noted as being proud of performances at prestigious venues. That combination, universal participation plus performance expectation, tends to build confidence for pupils who might not otherwise volunteer for the stage.

Sport and “try something new” activities

Alongside familiar sports, fencing is repeatedly visible across the school’s public information, appearing in the clubs list and also as an activity referenced in the inspection write-up, alongside scootering. The point is not elite sport, it is breadth and the chance for pupils to find an activity that fits them.

Eco Warriors and environmental leadership

Eco Warriors were appointed across year groups from Autumn 2022, with pupils helping monitor energy use, promote recycling, and represent class views through an eco committee approach. The school also references work towards external awards and projects, including the Live Simply award and a Bronze Green Tree School Award. For children who like purposeful responsibility, this can be a meaningful leadership track well before Year 6.

Wraparound care is a clear practical strength. Breakfast club runs 7:30am to 8:45am (Monday to Friday). After school club runs 3:10pm to 5:30pm (Monday to Thursday) and is closed on Fridays. Published prices are £4 for breakfast club and £8 per night for after school club.

For nursery routines, the school day information includes nursery door opening at 8:45am, with session pickup times depending on morning, afternoon, or full-day attendance.

Transport and travel arrangements are not set out in detail in the school’s published practical pages. Families usually benefit from doing a real-world run at drop-off and pick-up times, then checking how this fits with wraparound needs and sibling logistics.

• Admission is faith-shaped. As a voluntary aided Catholic school, criteria and supplementary information matter. Families should be comfortable with the school’s Catholic ethos and with the extra admin of faith-related forms when applying.

• Oversubscription is normal. Sefton’s published data shows demand exceeding places for a 30-place intake, so applying on time and understanding criteria is essential. FindMySchool’s Map Search can help families check location logistics alongside the realities of allocation criteria.

• Curriculum consistency is still being tightened in a few subjects. The most recent inspection write-up highlights that links to prior learning are not yet fully embedded in a small number of subjects, which can affect how well pupils remember content over time.

• Friday wraparound limitation. After school club is published as running Monday to Thursday only. For families needing Friday coverage, this can complicate work patterns unless alternative childcare is in place.

A high-performing Catholic primary with a distinctive reading culture and unusually broad enrichment, particularly in music, pupil leadership, and environmental responsibility. It suits families who want strong Key Stage 2 outcomes alongside structured routines and clear values, and who are comfortable engaging with Catholic admissions processes. The limiting factor is usually admission rather than day-to-day quality.