Buckshaw Primary School
Chorley, PR7 1XP · Lancashire · primary school
Check the area around this school
305th 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 3.9/10 against 2,283 of them, against 3.4/10 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 | 43.0 · 11 | 62% | 0.65 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 11.0 · 71 | 38% | 2.72 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Buckshaw Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 43.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the school’s figure was 11.0% against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Eco Group and School Council. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 210 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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
With the roll matching capacity exactly, how does the school manage waiting lists for specific year groups? How does the Eco Group integrate with the wider curriculum? What support is available for pupils who have not yet reached the expected standard in core subjects?
What Ofsted said about Buckshaw Primary School
Overview
Buckshaw Primary School is described as a "happy and welcoming" institution where staff forge supportive relationships with pupils and families. The report highlights a "well-thought-out and ambitious curriculum" that builds knowledge logically, alongside high staff morale and effective leadership.
Strengths
- The school prioritises pupil well-being, teaching children to "maintain positive mental health" and stay active.
- Behaviour is managed well, with pupils behaving "sensibly in lessons and during social situations."
- Early years provision is strong, with children settling quickly and receiving effective phonics instruction.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are "quickly identified" and supported through partnerships with external agencies.
- Leaders have improved communication with parents, who feel "well informed about school life."
Areas to improve
- Some teachers’ expectations of what pupils should achieve are "not high enough," hindering potential progress.
- The school’s approach to checking pupils’ learning is "not fully embedded across the whole curriculum," limiting the ability to address knowledge gaps in some subjects.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 32% |
| 2023/24 | 52% |
| 2024/25 | 43% |
| 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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