St Paul of the Cross Catholic Primary School, Warrington

Ofsted's report card from its 20 January 2026 inspection grades St Paul of the Cross Catholic Primary School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 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 curriculum in the early years is ambitious and sets high expectations for children's achievement from the moment that they start in the Nursery class."

Achievement - Expected standard. "The way in which leaders have designed the curriculum to revisit and build on pupils' prior learning has ensured that pupils generally secure the essential knowledge in subjects across the curriculum."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Pupils' attendance rates are close to the national average."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear understanding of the quality of the curriculum and teaching."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have established a positive culture to ensure that all pupils feel included."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors understand their school well."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school's effective personal development programme helps pupils to develop a strong moral sense of right and wrong."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should ensure that the misconceptions of some pupils in mathematics are addressed more effectively so that these pupils are more confident to apply their mathematical knowledge when solving problems. • Leaders should ensure that teaching develops pupils' subject-specific knowledge more securely in a small number of subjects so that they better understand the subject disciplines".

In 2025, 65% of Year 6 pupils at St Paul of the Cross Catholic Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 65% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 83% and 80% in Warrington and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (69% in reading, 56% in maths).

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

For September 2026 entry, 12 families put St Paul of the Cross Catholic Primary School as their first choice and 24 named it as one of their preferences, for 12 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 St Paul of the Cross Catholic Primary School are Burtonwood Community Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 88% reading, 92% maths); Wargrave CofE Primary School (1.5 miles, Requires improvement, 74% reading, 74% maths); The District CofE Primary School (1.8 miles, 77% reading, 71% maths); and Barrow Hall Community Primary School (1.8 miles, Outstanding, 88% reading, 91% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than St Paul of the Cross Catholic Primary School.

44 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about St Paul of the Cross Catholic Primary School (as of September 2026): 91% would recommend the school, 91% say their child is happy there and 25% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that pupils behave well (93%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (25%).

The nearest railway station is Earlestown Rail Station, about 1.6 miles away in a straight line.

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Chapel House (outside), 40 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 13 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, other theft and robbery. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Warrington (96).

St Paul of the Cross Catholic Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.