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Blacklow Brow School, Liverpool

Primary
Academy sponsor led
Mixed
Ages 3–11

Blacklow Brow School is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Liverpool, part of The Dean Trust. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in January 2026, ended in a report card: 7 strong standard. Before that it was rated Good at its last graded inspection, in October 2021. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the highest of the 177 schools in Liverpool with published results, and 172nd of 14,452 across England. For 2026 entry it had 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. It was 99% full in 2025.

SATs results
Above England average
Ofsted report card
7 of 7 areas strong or better
Demand
1.5 first choices per place
Attendance
Better than England average
New inspections, open days and news, by email.

Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days

Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Knowsley (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.

Data last updated 26 Oct 2026

Blacklow Brow School in detail

What Ofsted's report card says

Ofsted's report card from its 20 January 2026 inspection grades Blacklow Brow School on 7 areas: 7 strong standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Strong standard. "Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and disadvantaged pupils, achieve well across a range of subjects."

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Pupils' attendance rates are consistently high."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders ensure that the curriculum is ambitious, broad and carefully designed."

Early years - Strong standard. "The early years at Blacklow Brow is well organised and carefully designed to give children strong foundations for learning."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders make sure that every pupil is valued and supported."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leadership at Blacklow Brow is highly effective and focused on achieving the best outcomes for all pupils."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders at Blacklow Brow provide a rich personal development offer that equips pupils with the knowledge, skills and confidence to thrive beyond school."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should continue to improve disadvantaged pupils' attainment in writing so that the gap between them and their non-disadvantaged peers nationally closes further over time".

Read the full report card on Ofsted's site (school website)

Source: Ofsted report card (Open Government Licence), quoted

Results

In 2025, 97% of Year 6 pupils at Blacklow Brow School reached the expected standard in reading and 100% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Knowsley and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 83% in reading and 90% in maths in 2024.

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

Getting a place at Blacklow Brow School

For September 2026 entry, 44 families put Blacklow Brow School as their first choice and 127 named it as one of their preferences, for 29 places offered. That is 1.5 first choices for every place. 15 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

Admissions history and your chances at Blacklow Brow School

Compared with nearby schools

The nearest other state primary schools to Blacklow Brow School are St Anne's Catholic Primary School (under 0.1 miles, Good, 73% reading, 71% maths); Huyton With Roby Church of England Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 78% reading, 80% maths); Sylvester Primary Academy (0.6 miles, Good, 65% reading, 71% maths); and St Aloysius Catholic Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 82% reading, 84% maths).

Blacklow Brow School's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

St Anne's Catholic Primary SchoolHuyton With Roby Church of England Primary SchoolSylvester Primary AcademySt Aloysius Catholic Primary School

The trust

Blacklow Brow School is one of 11 schools run by The Dean Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 67% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

All 11 schools in The Dean Trust

What parents say

59 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Blacklow Brow School (as of April 2026): 95% would recommend the school, 98% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that they are kept well informed about progress (86%).

Who goes there

13.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (94%) and Mixed (5%).

In 2026, 17 pupils (7.2%) received SEN support and 5 (2.1%) 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 autism.

Getting there

The nearest railway station is Huyton Rail Station, about 440 metres away (roughly a 6-minute walk).

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Marina Crescent (near), 60 metres away.

Suspensions and exclusions

Blacklow Brow School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

Secondary schools nearby

The secondary schools closest to Blacklow Brow School are Lord Derby Academy (0.6 miles) and Gateacre School (1.2 miles).

Lord Derby AcademyGateacre School

Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE multi-academy trust performance data; Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics

Location

Likely (~342m)Possible (~489m)Unlikely (~636m)

Our estimate from how close the nearest similar schools are and how oversubscribed the council's schools are. It is not a published boundary.

Key Information

DfE GIAS
Head:Mr Damian Kenny
Pupils:235
LA:Knowsley
Phone:01514778010
Address:Blacklow Brow School, Tarbock Road, Huyton, Liverpool, L36 5XW
Trust:THE DEAN TRUST (11 schools)
Status:open
Opened:1 September 2017

Ofsted Rating

Ofsted · 9 months ago

Report card - no single overall grade (Ofsted's framework since November 2025)

Safeguarding standards met

  • AchievementStrong standard
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
  • Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
  • Early yearsStrong standard
  • InclusionStrong standard
  • Leadership and governanceStrong standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard

Safeguarding standards: met

Inspected 20 January 2026View full report
URN:144355
UKPRN:10064748
Diocese:Not applicable
Constituency:Knowsley
Urban/Rural:Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Ofsted's report card, in its own words

What it's like to be a pupil at Blacklow Brow School

Pupils at Blacklow Brow achieve very well and approach learning with enthusiasm. They are attentive, motivated and eager to succeed. Staff know pupils well and provide high-quality teaching that helps them build knowledge securely and confidently from their starting points. Pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those known or previously known to children's social care, make progress well through the curriculum. They are well prepared for secondary school. Pupils' barriers to learning and wellbeing are addressed promptly. Staff identify needs early and work closely with parents and carers to provide tailored support. This ensures pupils attend regularly, engage fully in lessons and demonstrate consistently positive behaviour. Pupils are fully included in all aspects of school life and develop a secure sense of belonging. Positive relationships are a cornerstone of school life. Pupils feel safe, cared for and supported each day. This starts with a purposeful welcome from staff. Pupils are consistently kind and respectful to one another. Bullying is rare, and any unkind behaviour is dealt with swiftly and effectively. Pupils trust adults and confidently seek help when needed. Beyond academic learning, pupils leave the school confident, articulate and ready to thrive in all areas of life. Leadership opportunities are well established, with pupils acting as subject leaders, playleaders and reading ambassadors. Older pupils take pride in responsibility, acting as positive role models. They contribute meaningfully to the community. Wider experiences enrich pupils' learning. Residential visits build independence and friendships. Clubs, including food technology, drawing, languages and football, are popular. Pupils are inspired by the enrichment opportunities, including a planned visit to Spain. These experiences strengthen pupils' resilience, spark ambition and ensure that pupils flourish socially, morally and academically.

What Ofsted says the school should do next

  • • Leaders should continue to improve disadvantaged pupils' attainment in writing so that the gap between them and their non-disadvantaged peers nationally closes further over time.

From Ofsted's report card (inspection 20 January 2026). Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Ofsted Insights

From Ofsted's January 2026 inspection report.

What This School Does Well

Blacklow Brow School excels at ensuring all children succeed academically while feeling safe, valued and included. The school has high-quality teaching, excellent behaviour and attendance, and provides a rich range of experiences that help pupils develop confidence and resilience. Every child - including those with additional needs or facing disadvantage - is supported to thrive and achieve well.

Key Strengths

  • Pupils achieve above national average in reading, writing and mathematics, with disadvantaged pupils performing better than disadvantaged pupils nationally
  • High-quality teaching with staff who have deep subject knowledge and adapt activities to meet all pupils' needs
  • Consistently high attendance rates and calm, respectful behaviour across the school
  • Well-designed, ambitious curriculum with clear learning sequences from Nursery to Year 6
  • Strong inclusive practice ensuring every pupil feels valued and supported to participate fully

Safeguarding

Safeguarding standards are met - the school has created an open and positive culture of safeguarding where all legal requirements are fulfilled and pupils feel safe.

Extracurricular Activities

School council, head boy and girl roles, whole-school theatre visits, banking workshops, knife-crime sessions, e-safety lessons, curriculum trips, sporting activities including seated volleyball, leadership opportunities, assembly contributions, fundraising for charity

Blacklow Brow School is a high-performing primary school where pupils achieve well across all subjects, including in reading, writing and mathematics where attainment is above national average. The school provides a calm, inclusive and safe learning environment where all pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, are valued and supported to succeed.

At a Glance

13.2%

Free School Meals

No

Boarding

Yes

Nursery

No

Sixth Form

No

Special Measures

What Parents Think

59 responses
Would recommend95%
Child is happy98%
Feels safe100%
Well behaved98%
Bullying dealt with (of parents with a view)100%
Kept informed86%
Handles concerns (of parents who raised one)92%

Source: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at April 2026 - % who strongly agree or agree

Primary Performance (KS2)

Academic year 2024/25

KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)

2024
2025
Reading+14ppMaths+10ppWriting+3pp

Reading has improved from 83% to 97% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 90% to 100% (2024 to 2025). Writing has remained stable at around 86% (2024 to 2025).

Class Sizes

29.4

Avg class size

30.0

Infant (KS1)

29.8

KS2

8

Total classes

2025/26 academic year

How Does This School Compare?

Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools

See peer comparison with Pro - £9 a month, or £90 a year, inc. VAT

Keep up with Blacklow Brow School

Term dates

Blacklow Brow School is an academy, so it sets its own term dates: check the school's website. As a guide, see Knowsley's term dates for its community schools.

Getting There

Train Stations

Huyton Rail Station (Entrance)
442m · 7 min walk
Roby Rail Station (Entrance)
699m · 11 min walk

Bus Stops

Marina Crescent (nr)
61m · 1 min walk
The Rooley (adj)
154m · 3 min walk
Blacklow Brow (nr)
186m · 3 min walk
Acacia Avenue (E-bound)
272m · 4 min walk
Roby Road (adj)
285m · 5 min walk

Free school transport

Check free transport to Blacklow Brow School from your postcode →

You apply to the council where you live. Blacklow Brow School is in Knowsley; for families living there:

Apply to Knowsley for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.

Safety and surroundings

Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)

Collisions
18
Fatal
0
Serious
2
Children hurt
1

Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 18 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 2 serious and 16 slight.

1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on a bicycle.

5 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.

The typical figure for schools in Knowsley is 14 (the median across 63 schools, same distance and years).

Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.

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Commute and house prices

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Your chances of a place at Blacklow Brow School

Will you get a place at Blacklow Brow School? Get the admissions report

Your home postcode, set against Blacklow Brow School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.

What the report includes for Blacklow Brow School:

  • The straight-line distance from your home to Blacklow Brow School.
  • Knowsley publishes last distance offered figures, but none for Blacklow Brow School that we hold, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
  • Applications, first choices and offers at Blacklow Brow School for 2018 to 2026 entry.
  • How many families in Knowsley got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
  • The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
  • Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.

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Capacity & Demand

School Occupancy

99%

Near capacity

207 pupils

210 places

3 spare places in 2025

2025, DfE school capacity data

Area Demand Pressure - Liverpool

High pressure
New homes approved:13,032
Projected new pupils:3,258

Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Liverpool

Across Knowsley council

Low demand council-wide0.94 applications per place

Places available

2,085

Applications

1,953

Got 1st preference

86.6%

Got preferred school

96.3%

All primary applications across Knowsley council (2026/27), not just this school.

This school: 1.5 first choices per place

Inspection History(4)

20 January 2026Report card
Inclusion
Curriculum & teaching
Achievement
Attendance & behaviour
Personal development
Early years
Leadership & governance
13 October 2021
Quality of EducationGood
Behaviour & AttitudesOutstanding
Personal DevelopmentGood
Leadership & ManagementGood
Early YearsGood
29 September 2020

SEND & SEN Provision

SEN Overview

17

SEN Support

5

EHC Plans

9.4%

of Total Pupils

2026 academic year

Provision & Specialist Facilities

No specialist provision recorded

Pupils by Need Type

Autistic Spectrum Disorder8
Social, Emotional & Mental Health5
Speech, Language & Communication4
Moderate Learning Difficulty2
EHC Plan
SEN Support

Pupil Demographics

Ethnicity

White British
93.6%
Mixed
5.1%

2026 academic year

Key Indicators

Free School Meals13.2%
English as Additional Language0.4%

235

Total Pupils

111

Boys

124

Girls

2026 academic year

Workforce

11

Teachers

21.4:1

Pupil-teacher ratio

£48,866

Mean salary

2026 data

School Funding

£5,267

Per pupil

£1218k

Total funding

£47k

Pupil premium

Deprivation£83,056
EAL funding£1,391
Lump sum£145,270

2025-26 financial year allocations

Pupil Absence
2024/25

4.1%

Overall absence

7.8%

Persistent absence

180

Enrolments

Authorised1.9%
Unauthorised2.2%
Persistent (10%+)7.8%
Severe (50%+)0.0%

Absence trend

4.2%
18/19
1.9%
20/21
4.5%
21/22
4.3%
22/23
4.4%
23/24
4.1%
24/25
Overall absence rate

Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.

Secondary Schools Nearby

Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to

Questions parents ask about Blacklow Brow School

What are SATs results like at Blacklow Brow School?

Of the pupils at Blacklow Brow School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 97% reached the expected standard in reading and 100% did so in maths.

What is Blacklow Brow School's Ofsted rating?

Blacklow Brow School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in January 2026, produced a report card, which grades each area but gives no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in October 2021, it was rated Good.

What is the catchment area for Blacklow Brow School?

No fixed boundary. When Blacklow Brow School is oversubscribed, Knowsley allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.

Is it hard to get a place at Blacklow Brow School?

Blacklow Brow School was close to full in 2025, at 99% of its capacity.

How big are the classes at Blacklow Brow School?

Classes at Blacklow Brow School average 29.4 pupils (2025/26).

How many pupils go to Blacklow Brow School?

Blacklow Brow School has around 235 pupils on roll. 13% are eligible for free school meals.

What is attendance like at Blacklow Brow School?

4.1% of sessions were missed at Blacklow Brow School in 2024/25. 7.8% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).

How do I apply to Blacklow Brow School?

Apply through Knowsley's coordinated admissions process, naming Blacklow Brow School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.

How many road collisions happen near Blacklow Brow School?

Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 18 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 2 serious and 16 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on a bicycle. 5 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Knowsley is 14 (the median across 63 schools, same distance and years).

Where is Blacklow Brow School?

Blacklow Brow School is at Blacklow Brow School, Tarbock Road, Huyton, Liverpool, Merseyside, L36 5XW.

Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)

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