Larkfield Primary School
Preston New Road, Southport, PR9 8PAOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Larkfield Primary School is a primary school in Southport for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 113 schools in Sefton. It ranks 5th of 19 primary schools in Southport. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 14 June 2023, report published 27 July 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 14 June 2023
Pupils are enthusiastic about their school. They arrive happy and ready to learn. There is an atmosphere of mutual respect between pupils. They attribute this to the way in which staff teach them to manage their own mental health. As a result of this work, pupils are confident to be themselves and are accepting of each other's differences. All of the pupils that inspectors spoke to, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), said that they felt included as part of the school. Pupils have good relationships with staff and feel safe to talk to them about any concerns or worries that they may have. Pupils are safe from the harmful effects of bullying because staff act swiftly to address any misbehaviour before it escalates. Pupils, including children in the early years, are keen to please and behave well. Pupils have risen to the higher expectations that leaders have set for their learning. Many of the pupils who responded to the inspection survey said that they felt challenged by the work that teachers set. As a result, pupils find learning interesting and fun, reflecting the school motto of 'enjoy, learn, succeed'.
What the school should improve
- Some pupils in Year 2 and Year 3 have gaps in their reading knowledge. As such, they do not read with confidence and fluency. Leaders should ensure that these pupils receive the support that they need to catch up quickly.
- In a small number of subjects, some of the tasks that teachers ask pupils to complete do not match the intended curriculum well enough. As a result, pupils do not remember the essential information that they need to know. Leaders should ensure that teachers design learning that helps pupils to learn the content of the curriculum.
- Many pupils are absent from school too often. This means that they miss out on their learning. This creates gaps in their knowledge. Leaders should ensure that they quickly and decisively tackle the rates of persistent absenteeism so that pupils attend school regularly.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
41 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
256 pupils on roll, with places for 255
Schools near Larkfield Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Churchtown Primary School | 0.3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 55% met the expected standard |
| St Patrick's Catholic Primary School | 0.3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 61% met the expected standard |
| Marshside Primary School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 56% met the expected standard |
| St John's Church of England Primary School | 0.9 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | 62% met the expected standard |
| Bishop David Sheppard Church of England Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 42% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mr D Palmen
- Phone
- 01704224720
- Address
- Preston New Road, Southport, PR9 8PA
- Local authority
- Sefton
- URN
- 104887
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.