School tours/visits? Schools in Liverpool?

[MyJollyOtter]

Hello! We are moving from abroad to Liverpool, and struggling to sort out schools for our child. She is currently primary school age. In the US, visiting/touring a school before signing up for it is common-- is this the case in the UK as well? She is older than Reception age. It would be great to visit a school before selecting it, but understand if schools are chosen more via word of mouth, reviews, reputation, location, etc instead.
Additionally, if anyone has any rave reviews (or the opposite!) of schools in Liverpool (either city centre or South Liverpool), I would love to hear to them!
Thank you so much!!!!

If you're keen to use a state school, the Wirral would be a great shout, as would Formby. The Wirral has grammar schools for secondary level. In Formby, most of the primaries are excellent (Freshfield, Trinity St Peter's, and Woodlands are probably the best thought of) and Formby High School is sought-after (Range High School less so, after a negative Ofsted rating, but I suspect that will change soon; Formby is an affluent area with motivated parents!).

@CakeIsNotAvailable This is really great info. Thank you so much! We haven't looked into Formby really yet; adding it to the list to check out. This list of schools is really helpful. Thank you!

Hi, I live in Woolton L25 area and my dd goes to Woolton primary school, it's a lovely school and she's really happy there she's in year 2 atm. Someone in another comment mentioned the crime rate in L25, I'm born and raised in this area and I think it's definitely one of the better areas in South Liverpool to live but just my opinion. Good luck and I hope you and your family are very happy here 🥰

Hi, I can recommend St Michael in the Hamlet if you find accommodation nearby. If you want to PM the areas/ schools you’re looking at I can give opinions. I’m also pretty good on secondary schools- I’ve had dc at 5! I’d suggest a primary near home so your dc has classmates nearby as they grow and play out more (we moved from st Michael because of a house move.) Catchment areas aren’t really a thing here, but a lot of non-faith secondary schools go by distance so unless you’re going to go to church I suppose that’s worth thinking about. I know an amazing secondary that’s not yet oversubscribed, but in 3 years that could change.

hello OP! Just browsing mumsnet for south Liverpool school advice myself, and wondered how you got on?! Hope the move went well!

Not doubting you but Kings Leadership hasn’t opened yet, just wondering where you’re getting your info from as I’m currently researching

Kings Leadership in the Dingle is open, it used to be called Shorefields before it became an academy.

Kings leadership in wavertree isn't open yet.

I’d be looking at Formby. Some great primaries and Formby High is very good. If you are struggling and have to consider private St Mary’s Crosby would be my first choice. Liverpool College is good but as others have said, tough to get into. Bluecoat, if your dc are very bright. They’ve had their troubles but the results are outstanding. Only a few years ago Merchant Taylor’s would have been on the list but it’s in the death throes and they only have themselves to blame.

I should add I’d also look at the Wirral if you think your dc are serious contenders for their grammar intake.

People are very territorial in Liverpool. I have lived in South Liverpool for 40+ years, and you wouldn't catch me moving North, or to the Wirral. For South, I would suggest the Greenbank area (lots of young university families) or Rose Lane/Mossley Hill. There is plenty to do and, without a car, lots of public transport. You'd also be close to lots of green space.

It's a small city, and easy to get around, so you can certainly widen your search area.

Can't your partner ask among his new colleagues for location and school recommendations?

Auckland college on lark lane has just doubled its intake, don’t know if anyone has any intel on them?