Holmeswood Methodist School, Ormskirk

Ofsted's report card from its 14 April 2026 inspection grades Holmeswood Methodist School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard, 4 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.

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "This is a small school with a big personal development offer for pupils."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Pupils attend well in this school."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders ensure that staff have the expertise that they need to support children in early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders identify pupils' needs quickly and accurately."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Governors have an accurate view of the school."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Some pupils do not achieve as well as they could in writing because they have gaps in their basic transcriptional knowledge."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Many pupils, including those that join the school at a later stage, have persistent gaps in their basic knowledge of writing because teachers do not check or address these with precision."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that staff are supported to accurately identify gaps in pupils' writing knowledge, particularly for pupils who join the school at a later point in their schooling, so that precise action is taken to close these gaps swiftly"; "Leaders should continue to prioritise high-quality teaching across the curriculum so that pupils readily remember more of the important knowledge that they are taught".

In its own words: ""Do all the good you can, by all the means you can" Our motto, taken from the inspirational words of John Wesley , sums up our school's uncompromising ambition to make a positive difference to people's lives - our children and their families, our community and beyond."

In 2025, 57% of Year 6 pupils at Holmeswood Methodist School reached the expected standard in reading and 57% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Lancashire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 67% in reading and 67% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 8 families put Holmeswood Methodist School as their first choice and 15 named it as one of their preferences, for 7 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 1 family who put it first was not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Holmeswood Methodist School are Tarleton Mere Brow Church of England Primary School (1.6 miles, Good, 83% reading, 83% maths); Rufford CofE School (1.9 miles, Good, 95% reading, 89% maths); Tarleton Holy Trinity CofE Primary School (2.6 miles, Good, 84% reading, 91% maths); and Burscough Bridge Methodist School (3 miles, Good, 100% reading, 100% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Holmeswood Methodist School.

15 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Holmeswood Methodist School (as of September 2026): 100% would recommend the school and 100% say their child is happy there.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (100%); the weakest, that they are kept well informed about progress (80%).

3.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 1.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (82%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 8 pupils (14.5%) received SEN support and 7 (12.7%) 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.

Holmeswood Methodist School had 4 teachers in 2026, one for every 12 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is New Lane Rail Station, about 2.3 miles away in a straight line.

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Smithy Lane (opposite), 60 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 0 crimes within a mile of the school. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Lancashire (109).

Holmeswood Methodist School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.