SchoolScoresHelsby Hillside Primary School
Community school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed
Bates Lane, Helsby, Frodsham, WA6 9LN
01928 722991 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 3 March 2026 , published 6 May 2026.
In short: 7 expected, 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. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Early yearsNursery and reception classes. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
75 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
Cheshire West and Chester comparisons use the 11 of its 129 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 118 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 | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 7th highest of 11 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cheshire West and Chester. Higher than 43% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 91% | 93% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 7th highest of 11 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cheshire West and Chester. Higher than 43% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 93% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 7th highest of 11 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cheshire West and Chester. Higher than 49% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 87% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 14 parents whose child had been bullied 1st highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cheshire West and Chester. Higher than 58% of 329 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 46% | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 56 parents who had raised a concern Joint 8th highest of 10 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cheshire West and Chester. Higher than 28% of 1,062 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 73% | 81% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 14 parents of children with SEND 6th highest of 7 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cheshire West and Chester. Higher than 23% of 552 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 57% | 71% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 6th highest of 11 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cheshire West and Chester. Higher than 51% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92%said yes | 92% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 38%). 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. Cheshire West and Chester figures pool parents at the Cheshire West and Chester 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
28 pupils in this year group.
68% — 7 points above the Cheshire West and Chester average, and 6 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 68% | 61% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 14% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 86% | 76% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 79% | 72% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 79% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 110 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 105 | 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 Cheshire West and Chester. 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 about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 30 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 30 |
| Of those, offered a place | 28 (93%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 64 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.0
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 8th highest of 10 state primary schools in Frodsham. Higher than 13% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 8.6% | 20.2%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 8th highest of 10 state primary schools in Frodsham. Higher than 10% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.0% | 3.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 9th highest of 10 state primary schools in Frodsham. Higher than 11% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 8.1% | 13.9%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 10 state primary schools in Frodsham. Higher than 29% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.1% | 9.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Frodsham. Lower than 55% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.8% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 6th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Frodsham. Lower than 65% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 9.3% | 11.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 6th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Frodsham. Lower than 61% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.5 | 1.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 7th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Frodsham. Lower than 55% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.5% | 0.8% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 10 state primary schools in Frodsham. Higher than 70% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.3 | 19.8 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 10 state primary schools in Frodsham. Higher than 93% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 14.3 | 10.6 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 6th highest of 8 state primary schools in Frodsham. Higher than 0% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 9.9%* | 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
- Alvanley and Manley Village School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- Horn's Mill Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Frodsham CofE Primary School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2025 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Luke's Catholic Primary School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 43% met expected standard (KS2)
- Frodsham Manor House Primary School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 81% met expected standard (KS2)
- Frodsham Primary Academy 2.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- Elton Primary School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 74% met expected standard (KS2)
- Kingsley Community Primary School and Nursery 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2011), confirmed 2023 · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Helsby Hillside Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Helsby Hillside Primary School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 3 March 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 7 expected, and safeguarding was met.
How did Helsby Hillside Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 68% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 6 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Helsby Hillside Primary School?
92% of the 75 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Helsby Hillside Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Helsby Hillside Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 30 families put Helsby Hillside Primary School as their first choice for 30 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 28 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 111004.
- 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.