Banks St Stephen's CofE School, Southport

Ofsted's report card from its 6 January 2026 inspection grades Banks St Stephen's CofE School on 7 areas: 5 expected standard and 2 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders' subject curriculums are well thought out and build logically from the early years to Year 6."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders make sure that staff identify and support the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities in the early years quickly and effectively."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders establish warm, respectful relationships between parents and carers, different communities and professionals at the heart of the school's work."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate, honest and realistic understanding of the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders' well-thought-out programme for pupils' personal development and wellbeing enhances their learning and broadens their experiences."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils' attainment in the Year 1 phonics screening check and in reading at the end of Year 6 were below average in 2025."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Although leaders have high expectations for pupils' regular attendance, they have not succeeded in making sure that pupils attend school as often as they should."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should ensure that teaching in phonics and reading is consistently high quality so that pupils achieve well. • Leaders should make certain that their actions to improve attendance have a positive impact and that attendance for all pupils improves. • Leaders should ensure that staff receive suitable training to further develop their expertise in supporting the learning of pupils, especially those with special educational needs and/or disabilities".

In its own words: "To enquire or book visits to Fox Cubs Nursery Classes, please click on the link below to fill out our booking form. Fox Cubs Nursery Booking Form"

From the headteacher's welcome: "My name is Gareth Allen, and I have had the privilege of being Headteacher at Banks St Stephen's since September 2023. I feel incredibly fortunate to lead such a wonderful school, filled with happy, caring children, dedicated staff, supportive families and a community that is proud of its school."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, gymnastics, dance, choir, chess and art.

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:45am and after-school care.

In 2025, 66% of Year 6 pupils at Banks St Stephen's CofE School reached the expected standard in reading and 72% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Lancashire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 79% in reading and 75% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 12 families put Banks St Stephen's CofE School as their first choice and 22 named it as one of their preferences, for 13 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Banks St Stephen's CofE School are Banks Methodist School (0.5 miles, Good, 43% reading, 43% maths); St John's Church of England Primary School (1.2 miles, Good, 65% reading, 73% maths); Tarleton Mere Brow Church of England Primary School (1.5 miles, Good, 83% reading, 83% maths); and Larkfield Primary School (1.9 miles, Good, 66% reading, 68% maths).

Banks St Stephen's CofE School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

26 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Banks St Stephen's CofE School (as of September 2026): 89% would recommend the school, 92% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (92%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

8.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 31 pupils (15.6%) received SEN support and 4 (2%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Meols Cop Rail Station, about 3.1 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Guinea Hall Avenue (by), 300 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 13 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Lancashire (109).

In 2024/25, Banks St Stephen's CofE School issued 17 suspensions, 9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.