Bidston Village CofE (Controlled) Primary School, Prenton

Ofsted's report card from its 12 May 2026 inspection grades Bidston Village CofE (Controlled) Primary School on 7 areas: 4 expected standard and 3 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Early years - Expected standard. "Staff build warm, trusting relationships with children in the early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders set a clear and inclusive vision that places pupils' pastoral needs alongside their learning."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Since the last inspection, the school has experienced several leadership changes."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders prioritise pupils' personal development and wellbeing."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Over time, the school's published results show that pupils' attainment in reading, writing and mathematics has been below national averages."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Despite leaders' sustained efforts, pupils' rates of attendance remain low, including for those who are disadvantaged."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of how well the curriculum is taught."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to strengthen pupils' achievement in reading, writing and mathematics by addressing gaps in foundational knowledge so that all pupils secure the skills they need to achieve well"; "Leaders should refine the curriculum so that it more closely matches pupils' needs and supports sustained gains in their achievement"; "Leaders should continue to focus on pupils' attendance so that more pupils attend routinely and persistent absence reduces".

In its own words: "Our vision at Bidston Village C.E Primary School is to guide our children to develop their God-given gifts to the full and live fulfilling lives, rooted in the values taught by Jesus; based on the Gospel value of love for one another ."

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is an honour and privilege to introduce myself as the Headteacher of Bidston Village CE Primary School and on behalf of all of our staff and governors I would like to wish you a very warm welcome."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care.

In 2025, 39% of Year 6 pupils at Bidston Village CofE (Controlled) Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 37% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 69% in Wirral and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (45% in reading, 30% in maths).

For September 2026 entry, 36 families put Bidston Village CofE (Controlled) Primary School as their first choice and 54 named it as one of their preferences, for 38 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 Bidston Village CofE (Controlled) Primary School are St Paul's Catholic Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 87% reading, 87% maths); Leasowe Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 74% reading, 68% maths); Holy Cross Catholic Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 73% reading, 87% maths); and Chapelhill Primary School (0.8 miles, 60% reading, 70% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Bidston Village CofE (Controlled) Primary School.

63.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 8.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 122 pupils (30.2%) received SEN support and 38 (9.4%) 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.

Bidston Village CofE (Controlled) Primary School has a SEN unit for moderate learning difficulties: 30 places, 30 pupils on roll.

The nearest railway station is Bidston Rail Station, about 510 metres away (roughly a 6-minute walk).

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Fender Way (adjacent), 150 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Bidston Village CofE (Controlled) Primary School stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Bidston Village CofE (Controlled) Primary School issued 12 suspensions, 2.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Bidston Village CofE (Controlled) Primary School are The Mosslands School (1.1 miles); Weatherhead High School (1.2 miles); and St Mary's Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy (1.5 miles).