Co-op Academy Hillside, Prenton

Ofsted's report card from its 28 April 2026 inspection grades Co-op Academy Hillside on 7 areas: 2 strong standard and 5 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Early years - Strong standard. "The early years is the bedrock of the school's success."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders have set the school on a smart way forward for its work on inclusion."

Achievement - Expected standard. "During the 3 years that this new school has existed, pupils' achievement has improved markedly."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders, including those from the trust, keep a very close check on information about pupils' attendance and behaviour."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Since forming this new school, leaders have successfully introduced well-thought-out subject curriculums."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Trustees and leaders read the route ahead for the school with skill and care."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders think carefully what opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society pupils need at school."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should further refine staff's checks of pupils' learning to more effectively identify what pupils know and remember, to inform teaching so that pupils achieve as well as they can"; "Leaders should ensure that their recent revision to the curriculum and teaching for writing continues to improve pupils' handwriting, grammar and punctuation"; "Leaders should continue with their recent and increasingly successful work to ensure that all pupils attend school when they should"; "Leaders should build on pupils' existing knowledge, so they develop a more detailed understanding of fundamental British values and protected characteristics"; "Leaders should ensure the continued improvement of early years, and of inclusion, to achieve and sustain exceptional standards of support and teaching that have a transformational impact on the outcomes and experiences of all children and pupils".

From the headteacher's welcome: "As Head of School, it is with great pride and excitement that I extend a warm welcome to all of our families, pupils, and the wider community. Our school is more than just a place of learning; it is a thriving, supportive community where every individual is valued and encouraged to achieve their best."

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

In 2025, 83% of Year 6 pupils at Co-op Academy Hillside reached the expected standard in reading and 74% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 69% in Wirral and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 62% in reading and 62% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 10 families put Co-op Academy Hillside as their first choice and 17 named it as one of their preferences, for 11 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 Co-op Academy Hillside are St Peter's Catholic Primary School (0.2 miles, Good, 66% reading, 72% maths); Manor Primary School (0.6 miles, 61% reading, 56% maths); Fender Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 47% reading, 41% maths); and Townfield Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 81% reading, 81% maths).

Co-op Academy Hillside's 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

Co-op Academy Hillside is one of 40 schools run by The Co-Operative Academies Trust, an academy trust.

43.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 2.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 46 pupils (26%) received SEN support and 30 (16.9%) 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.

Co-op Academy Hillside has a resourced provision for social, emotional and mental health needs: 8 places, 8 pupils on roll.

Co-op Academy Hillside had 16 teachers in 2026, one for every 9 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Upton Rail Station, about 640 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).

Co-op Academy Hillside recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Co-op Academy Hillside are Ridgeway High School (0.4 miles), Woodchurch High School (0.7 miles), Birkenhead High School Academy (1 mile) and Upton Hall School FCJ (1 mile).