SchoolScoresBanks Methodist School
Voluntary controlled school · Primary, ages 2 to 11 · Mixed · Methodist · Nursery class
Chapel Lane, Banks, Southport, PR9 8EY
01704 227323 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 6 January 2026 , published 1 March 2026.
In short: 7 needs attention, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Early yearsNursery and reception classes. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
17 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
Southport comparisons use the 3 of its 21 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 18 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Southport | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 1st highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southport. Higher than 87% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 92% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school 1st highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southport. Higher than 53% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 92% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 1st highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southport. Higher than 51% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 78% | 78% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 15 parents who had raised a concern 1st highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southport. Higher than 82% of 1,062 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 73% | 74% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 1st highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southport. Higher than 60% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94%said yes | 83% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 24%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Southport figures pool parents at the Southport schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
7 pupils in this year group.
Only 7 pupils took these tests, so results can change a lot from year to year. Compare with care.
43% — 17 points below the Lancashire average, and 19 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 43% | 60% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 43% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 57% | 71% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 43% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Lancashire. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 1 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 0 |
| Of those, offered a place | 0 |
| Families who listed it at all | 12 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Methodist school, but as a voluntary controlled school its admissions are set by the council, which usually doesn't prioritise by faith. Check the council's admissions criteria.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 21 state primary schools in Southport. Higher than 78% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 38.3% | 25.3%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 11th highest of 21 state primary schools in Southport. Higher than 45% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.8% | 3.0%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 21 state primary schools in Southport. Higher than 80% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 19.7% | 13.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 17th highest of 21 state primary schools in Southport. Higher than 29% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.2% | 16.0%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 21st lowest of 21 state primary schools in Southport. Lower than 7% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.4% | 5.1%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 21st lowest of 21 state primary schools in Southport. Lower than 9% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 22.2% | 12.3%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 21 state primary schools in Southport. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 2.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 21 state primary schools in Southport. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 21st highest of 21 state primary schools in Southport. Higher than 1% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 10.7 | 21.1 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 19th highest of 21 state primary schools in Southport. Higher than 6% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 7.3 | 10.5 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 15th highest of 21 state primary schools in Southport. Higher than 31% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 7.7% | 12.9%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Banks St Stephen's CofE School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 2 needs attention · 55% met expected standard (KS2)
- St John's CofE Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 expected, 4 needs attention · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Tarleton Mere Brow CofE Primary School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Larkfield Primary School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
- Marshside Primary School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
- Churchtown Primary School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 55% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Patrick's Catholic Primary School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bishop David Sheppard CofE Primary School 3.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 42% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Banks Methodist School's Ofsted rating?
Banks Methodist School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 6 January 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 7 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
How did Banks Methodist School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 43% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 19 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Banks Methodist School?
94% of the 17 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Banks Methodist School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Banks Methodist School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 0 families put Banks Methodist School as their first choice for 1 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 0 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 119405.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.