SchoolScoresCronton CofE Primary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 2 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class
Part of LIVERPOOL DIOCESAN SCHOOLS TRUST
Smithy Lane, Cronton, Widnes, WA8 5DF
0151 424 3881 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 26 March 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Early years | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
101 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.
Widnes comparisons use the 13 of its 20 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 7 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 | Widnes | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 13th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Widnes. Higher than 12% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 94% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 13th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Widnes. Higher than 10% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 95% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 9th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Widnes. Higher than 44% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 93% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 34 parents whose child had been bullied 9th highest of 10 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Widnes. Higher than 3% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 26% | 51% | 50% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 72 parents who had raised a concern 12th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Widnes. Higher than 20% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71% | 83% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 12th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Widnes. Higher than 20% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80%said yes | 90% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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. Widnes figures pool parents at the Widnes 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. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
31 pupils in this year group.
65% — 4 points above the Knowsley average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Knowsley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 65% | 61% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 13% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 87% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 84% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 65% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 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 Knowsley. 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 | 28 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 25 |
| Of those, offered a place | 25 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 66 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9
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 Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Knowsley | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 19th highest of 20 state primary schools in Widnes. Higher than 12% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 8.2% | 40.9%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 15th highest of 20 state primary schools in Widnes. Higher than 22% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.7% | 4.3%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 15th highest of 20 state primary schools in Widnes. Higher than 40% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 12.9% | 17.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 15th highest of 20 state primary schools in Widnes. Higher than 22% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.0% | 9.0%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 5th lowest of 20 state primary schools in Widnes. Lower than 67% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.4% | 6.5%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 20 state primary schools in Widnes. Lower than 84% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.1% | 19.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 12th lowest of 20 state primary schools in Widnes. Lower than 64% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.4 | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 13th lowest of 20 state primary schools in Widnes. Lower than 61% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.4% | 0.9% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 20 state primary schools in Widnes. Higher than 76% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.9 | 21.1 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 20 state primary schools in Widnes. Higher than 85% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 13.2 | 10.3 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 4th highest of 19 state primary schools in Widnes. Higher than 73% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 20.0% | 11.1%* | 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
- Holy Family Catholic Primary School and Nursery 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024 · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- All Saints Upton CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 46% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Basil's Catholic Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Bartholomew's Catholic Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025 · 78% met expected standard (KS2)
- Oakdene Primary Academy 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024, before conversion) · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- Farnworth CofE Controlled Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lunts Heath Primary School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 84% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ditton Primary School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 54% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Michael with St Thomas CE Primary School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 75% met expected standard (KS2)
- Oakfield Community Primary School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 3 expected, 3 needs attention · 33% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Cronton CofE Primary Academy's Ofsted rating?
Cronton CofE Primary Academy was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 26 March 2024.
How did Cronton CofE Primary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 65% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 3 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Cronton CofE Primary Academy?
80% of the 101 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend Cronton CofE Primary Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Cronton CofE Primary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 25 families put Cronton CofE Primary Academy as their first choice for 28 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 25 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 143456.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- 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.