Marshside Primary School, Southport

In its own words: "Marshside Primary School is a partnership of children, parents, staff and governors. In our school the ethos is to place the child at the centre of everything. We aim to be caring, of the child, of each other, and of the wider community (including parents and carers)."

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is a real privilege to welcome you to Marshside. I’m incredibly proud to lead such a vibrant, caring and ambitious school community and I am excited to work in partnership with families, staff and - most importantly - our children. I bring with me a wealth of experience from across a range of educational settings."

In 2025, 70% of Year 6 pupils at Marshside Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 59% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Sefton and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (63% in reading, 63% in maths).

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

For September 2026 entry, 24 families put Marshside Primary School as their first choice and 68 named it as one of their preferences, for 25 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 Marshside Primary School are Larkfield Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 66% reading, 68% maths); St Patrick's Catholic Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 73% reading, 73% maths); Churchtown Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 67% reading, 65% maths); and St John's Church of England Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 65% reading, 73% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Marshside Primary School.

35 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Marshside Primary School (as of September 2025): 100% would recommend the school, 100% 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 (91%).

6.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 22 pupils (10.8%) received SEN support and 35 (17.2%) 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 autism.

Marshside Primary School has a SEN unit for autism: 28 places, 24 pupils on roll.

Marshside Primary School had 17 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 Meols Cop Rail Station, about 1.9 miles away in a straight line.

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Pilling Close (adjacent), 110 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 52 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, public order offences and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Sefton (165).

In 2024/25, Marshside Primary School issued 1 suspension, 0.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.