Palace Fields Primary Academy, Runcorn

In its own words: "Visitors to our school comment on the warm welcome they receive and the friendly atmosphere that exists. We have a fantastic team of staff who value our children and their families and who work very hard to provide rich and fulfilling experiences within a nurturing environment enabling our children to become happy, confident and successful citizens of the future."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Early Years at Palace Fields Primary School. Our Nursery and Reception provide a happy, nurturing and stimulating environment where children can feel safe, develop confidence and build a lifelong love of learning. We recognise that every child is unique and aim to provide exciting, meaningful experiences that build upon children's interests, experiences and individual starting points."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, tennis, athletics, basketball, yoga, judo, dance and choir.

In 2025, 85% of Year 6 pupils at Palace Fields Primary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 92% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 72% in Halton and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 64% in reading and 48% 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 Palace Fields Primary Academy as their first choice and 19 named it as one of their preferences, for 8 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Palace Fields Primary Academy are Our Lady Mother of the Saviour Catholic Primary School (0.1 miles, Good, 75% reading, 72% maths); Brookvale Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 69% reading, 71% maths); Hallwood Park Primary School and Nursery (0.6 miles, 71% reading, 86% maths); and St Mary's Church of England Primary School (0.6 miles, 83% reading, 71% maths).

Palace Fields Primary Academy's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

Palace Fields Primary Academy is one of 8 schools run by The Heath Family (north West), an academy trust.

22 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Palace Fields Primary Academy (as of September 2025): 77% would recommend the school, 86% say their child is happy there and 63% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (91%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (63%).

45.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 3.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 35 pupils (27.6%) received SEN support and 15 (11.8%) 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.

Palace Fields Primary Academy has a resourced provision for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia and moderate learning difficulties: 8 places, 10 pupils on roll.

The nearest railway station is Runcorn East Rail Station, about 1 mile away in a straight line.

13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Palacefields, 120 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Palace Fields Primary Academy stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Palace Fields Primary Academy issued 2 suspensions, 1.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Palace Fields Primary Academy are Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy (0.7 miles) and Blessed Carlo Acutis Catholic and Church of England Academy (1 mile).