Flixton Primary School Review 2026: Strong Results in a Warm, Well-Established Community

From the Nursery class to Year 6, pupils at Flixton Primary experience a calm, purposeful atmosphere where learning becomes an adventure. The school was formed in 2017 through the merger of two established institutions, bringing together decades of educational tradition into one cohesive community. With approximately 450 pupils spread across two adjacent buildings, this state-funded school has earned strong results that place it firmly in the top tier locally. In 2024, over 90% of pupils met expected standards in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, while the school ranked 18th among 87 primaries in Manchester (FindMySchool ranking). Mr Jason Redmond has led the school since 2017, steering it through consolidation and improvement. The school motto, "Success comes through personal effort," shapes daily life, creating an environment where every child's work is valued and celebrated.

The culture at Flixton Primary is notably calm and inclusive. Pupils describe feeling genuinely happy here; the warm, friendly relationships between staff and pupils form the emotional foundation of the school. Behaviour is consistently strong throughout the building. Merit assemblies celebrate positive effort and behaviour in a way that pupils genuinely enjoy, creating visible connection between actions and recognition.

Reading sits at the heart of the school's identity. The "reading racetrack" motivates pupils through a gamified system where frequent reading moves their car further along a track. Reading assemblies become anticipated events where staff share book recommendations, and pupil librarians take pride in running both school and class libraries. The nursery class immerses children in stories and songs to develop language skills, while Reception pupils benefit from phonics teaching that is delivered with expert precision, ensuring almost all learn to read confidently and fluently by the end of Key Stage 1.

The two-site structure (Infant Department at Mardale Avenue, Junior Department at Delamere Road) means the school maintains a small-school feel within its size. This enables staff to know every child well while offering the resources of a 428-place capacity school. The classroom environment is bright and stimulating, designed to encourage the curiosity pupils demonstrate through their eager engagement with lessons and learning.

Key Stage 2 Performance

In 2024, 90% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, significantly outperforming the England average of 62%. This represents a 28-percentage-point gap, well above the national norm.

The breakdown by subject shows consistent strength across all areas. Reading achieved a scaled score of 109 (England average: 100), writing and phonics, punctuation and spelling reached 110 (England average: 100), and mathematics scored 108 (England average: 100). All three exceed national averages, indicating secure subject knowledge across the cohort.

At the higher standard, 43% of pupils achieved greater depth in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, compared to the England average of 8%. This demonstrates that the school is not only meeting basic standards but stretching capable pupils effectively.

The school ranks 941st in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 6% of English primary schools nationally and 18th within Manchester. This consistent performance reflects a structured approach to curriculum delivery, regular assessment, and rapid intervention for pupils who need additional support.

Progress and Individual Needs

Pupils with SEND learn successfully alongside their peers. The school's SENCO and support team identify additional needs swiftly from the early years onwards, providing resources and targeted help so that all pupils can access the curriculum. Recent cohorts show that pupils receiving additional government funding make good progress, attributed to better use of progress information and more accurate identification of learning gaps.

The curriculum is ambitious and well-organised. Reading is integrated throughout subjects, but art, music, and design technology are taught as discrete subjects to all pupils, ensuring breadth of experience. Drama and dance are woven into other areas of learning, allowing creative expression without becoming separate silos.

Teachers are knowledgeable about the subjects they teach and explain concepts clearly. During lessons, they check for understanding frequently and address pupils' misconceptions promptly. In most subjects, pupils build secure bodies of knowledge. The early years curriculum was recently strengthened to provide a firmer foundation for Key Stage 1 learning, though the school acknowledges that in some learning areas, this work remains at an earlier stage.

The school has identified that more consistent assessment across all subjects could help teachers identify and remedy gaps in retained knowledge more swiftly. Alongside classroom teaching, pupils experience enrichment through field trips and educational visits that bring the curriculum to life. The reading racetrack, library systems, and book-focused assemblies mean literacy is celebrated daily.

Pupils benefit from rich extracurricular opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom. The "grounds" programme runs from Nursery through Year 6, involving pupils in vegetable growing, teamwork challenges such as bridge building, and outdoor problem-solving that builds confidence and resilience.

Sport features prominently. The school offers between 10 and 15 different sports during the school year, with competitive teams in major sports starting from Year 3. This range ensures all pupils experience sport, while those with talent are stretched through competition.

Art and music are taught with care and specificity. Music is taught to all pupils, with singing and instruments featured prominently. Drama is integrated into broader learning, supporting pupils' communication and confidence.

Older pupils take the lead in establishing extracurricular clubs reflecting their interests. The knitting club, mentioned specifically in the latest Ofsted inspection, exemplifies the school's approach: pupil-led, inclusive, and skill-sharing. This fosters personal development and agency, showing pupils that their interests and talents are valued enough for the school to provide time and space.

Year 6 residential trips to the Peak Venture Centre in the Derbyshire Peak District form a landmark experience. Previous activities have included canoeing, archery, zipwire, 3G swing, campfire activities, and problem-solving challenges. The stated aim is to help pupils believe in themselves as they prepare for the transition to secondary school, encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones.

The school's emphasis on personal development extends to celebrating difference and avoiding stereotypical thinking. Pupils learn explicitly about embracing diversity and the importance of tolerance, empathy, and self-discipline.

Flixton Primary is oversubscribed, with 168 applications for 60 Reception places in the most recent admissions cycle (a ratio of 2.8 applications per place). Places are allocated through Trafford's coordinated admissions process, with priority given to looked-after children, those with an Education, Health and Care Plan naming the school, and then by distance from the school gates.

Nursery provision is available for children from age 3. Parents can complete nursery applications at the start of the academic year their child turns 3, with a January 15th closing date in line with Trafford's schedule. The EYFS curriculum uses the EExAT Assessment system, designed by Early Excellence, to track development from starting points.

The school operates two sites: Nursery and Infant classes occupy Mardale Avenue, while the Junior Department is at Delamere Road. Both buildings are within the Flixton area, though families should confirm exact locations when applying.

The school's Nursery class plays an important role in the early years provision. Children are immersed in stories and songs to develop language skills, with a strong emphasis on phonics and early number work. Practitioners (including Mrs Brady, Mrs Young, and Mrs Slattery) create a warm, engaging environment where outdoor play and exploration feature prominently.

For current nursery fees and funding eligibility, visit the school's website. Government-funded early education hours (15 or 30 hours) are available for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds. The school has strengthened its early years curriculum recently to ensure a firm foundation for transition to Reception.

Pastoral support is woven throughout daily life. Well-established routines ensure a calm, purposeful atmosphere from Nursery through Year 6. Pupils are polite, attentive, and respond quickly to staff during lessons. When behaviour challenges arise, thoughtful support helps pupils learn better choices rather than punitive responses.

The school's safeguarding arrangements are effective. Staff are trained and alert to pupil welfare. Attendance is high, reflecting pupils' genuine enjoyment of school.

Staff are proud to work here and appreciate being given time to develop their expertise within year group teams. Knowledgeable governors are well-informed and use their skills to support and challenge the school's continuous refinement.

School day: 8:45am to 3:15pm or 3:30pm (depending on year group). Wraparound care is available through Premier Education, offering before-school and after-school clubs, and holiday camps. Ofsted-registered childcare means parents can use childcare vouchers and tax-free payments.

Uniform is required. School meals are provided, and pupils also bring packed lunches if preferred.

Transport to the two sites is not provided by the school; families arrange their own transport or walking access. Both buildings are within central Flixton, close to local roads and bus routes serving Manchester and surrounding areas.

Strong competition for places. The 2.8 applications-per-place ratio means entry is competitive. Families should apply early within the admission window and have realistic expectations about distance-based allocation. The last distance offered varies year to year based on applicant postcodes; verify your home's distance before relying on a place.

Two-site operation. Having Infants and Juniors on different sites, while manageable, means families coordinate between locations. Transition arrangements help pupils move between buildings, but parents manage the logistics of drop-off and collection across two sites.

Year 6 residential is an expectation. The Peak Venture Centre residential forms part of the transition experience. The school highly values this experience and encourages all pupils to attend, though costs will apply. Families should budget for this alongside the annual school fees.

Flixton Primary delivers consistently strong results and a genuinely warm community where children feel valued and known. The structured approach to reading, combined with personalised support for those with additional needs, means pupils progress securely. The school's recent formation through merger has created an institution with clarity of purpose and an accessible two-site model that keeps classes small enough for staff to know every child well.

The school suits families within the catchment area who value strong academic foundations, clear values-driven leadership, and pastoral care that extends beyond academics to build resilience and kindness. It is particularly well-suited to those seeking early years provision alongside primary education, with the Nursery and Infant sites on the same campus.

The main challenge is securing a place given oversubscription; proximity to Mardale Avenue or Delamere Road is essential. Beyond that, parents can expect a calm, inclusive school where effort is celebrated, reading is central, and pupils leave primary school with both strong skills and genuine confidence.