Altham St James Church of England Primary School
Accrington, BB5 5UH · Lancashire · primary school
Check the area around this school
280th of 448 primary schools in Lancashire we can score, 481 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 3,353 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.5/10 among them, against 5.4/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 64.0 · 49 | 40% | 1.97 |
| Ofsted | 12 | 35% | 0.40 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 9.0 · 61 | 25% | 1.53 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Altham St James Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 64.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, matching the national median of 64%. A higher 9.0% achieved the higher standard, compared to the national median of 7%. An Ofsted inspection in March 2026 assessed the school under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.5 out of 10 among them, against 5.4 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 84 pupils against a stated capacity of 63. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
What specific support is available for pupils who have not reached the expected standard? How does the new Ofsted framework influence current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Altham St James Church of England Primary School
Overview
Altham St James Church of England Primary School provides a high-quality education where pupils are well-supported and achieve well across the curriculum. The report highlights a positive school culture characterised by strong attendance, excellent behaviour, and effective leadership that ensures every pupil feels valued and safe.
Strengths
- Attendance is high with "very low" persistent absence, supported by "very positive relationships with parents and carers."
- Pupils display "impeccable behaviour" and attitudes to learning, creating a "calm, orderly atmosphere" where bullying is "very rare."
- Achievement is strong, particularly in writing where pupils "write to a high level," and in mathematics where they become "fluent and confident."
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those facing disadvantage receive effective, tailored support and "achieve well."
- Leaders have established an "ambitious curriculum" that is well-taught and helps pupils secure important foundations for future learning.
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, leaders should identify the important knowledge pupils need to acquire more clearly.
- Important concepts in some subjects require clearer definition so staff can share these consistently to prevent misconceptions.
- Leaders should ensure important records about the school’s work are complete to allow governors to hold them to account effectively.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing "an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively managed.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 70% |
| 2023/24 | 73% |
| 2024/25 | 64% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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