Whirley Primary School
Whirley Road, Broken Cross, Macclesfield, SK10 3JLOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Whirley Primary School is a primary school in Macclesfield for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 175 schools in Cheshire East. It ranks 6th of 27 primary schools in Macclesfield. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2011.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 23 March 2011, report published 14 April 2011
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 23 June 2026
This is a school where every pupil is valued, known and empowered to succeed. Relationships between staff, pupils, parents and carers underpin leaders' work. There is a deep sense of community. Pupils are proud of their school. They learn and play together harmoniously. On the rare occasion when bullying occurs, leaders deal with it swiftly and effectively. Pupils speak positively about their school. They appreciate the care and support they receive. Attendance rates are high, and pupils are keen to attend each day. Pupils feel safe. They trust staff and are confident to seek support when needed. Pupils at Whirley love learning. Classrooms are purposeful and engaging. Pupils achieve well and develop socially and emotionally. As a result, they are well prepared for their next stage of education. This includes disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff understand pupils’ needs well and provide appropriate support to help them progress through the curriculum. Pupils leave the school holding high aspirations for their future. Learning extends beyond the classroom. Pupils know the importance of staying healthy, both physically and mentally. Initiatives such as ‘walk and wheel to school’ and the ‘daily dash’ help them to understand the benefits of exercise. Pupils contribute positively to the community. For example, older pupils worked with the Brimstone project to plant trees and wildflowers. The eco committee has created a pond and wildlife area, which supports learning about habitats through activities such as pond dipping. Pupils benefit from a wide range of educational visits. These include trips to forests, zoos, castles and observatories. Experiences such as these enrich the curriculum and bring learning to life.
What the school should improve
- Leaders should ensure that teachers match work more consistently for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities to their stage of learning, so that these pupils achieve as well as they should across the curriculum.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
31 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
212 pupils on roll, with places for 210
Schools near Whirley Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Alban's Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy | 0.7 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | 48% met the expected standard |
| Broken Cross Primary Academy and Nursery | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 52% met the expected standard |
| Upton Priory School | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Good | 63% met the expected standard |
| St John the Evangelist CofE Primary School Macclesfield | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 62% met the expected standard |
| Ivy Bank Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 56% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- HALLIARD TRUST
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Karen Whalley
- Phone
- 01625783815
- Address
- Whirley Road, Broken Cross, Macclesfield, SK10 3JL
- Local authority
- Cheshire East
- URN
- 140598
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.