Burnley St Stephen's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Burnley, BB11 3EJ · Lancashire · primary school
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415th 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 1.5/10 against 1,867 of them, against 1.6/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 40.0 · 8 | 40% | 0.32 |
| Ofsted | 1 | 35% | 0.03 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 3.0 · 29 | 25% | 0.73 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Burnley St Stephen's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 40.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 3.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (1.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.6 out of 10 against all schools). The school was inspected in April 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
An after-school club is available for pupils.
Getting in
The published school roll is 200 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
How does the school support pupils who are below the expected standard in maths? What specific activities take place during the after-school club? How does the new inspection framework affect current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Burnley St Stephen's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Overview
The inspection found that safeguarding standards are met, with an open culture where concerns are actively managed. However, the school requires attention across all other evaluation categories, including achievement, attendance, behaviour, and curriculum, due to inconsistent teaching and support systems.
Strengths
- Safeguarding is effective, with leaders establishing a culture where "pupils are made safer and feel safe."
- The early years provision effectively supports children to "build up their knowledge in most areas of learning" and helps them settle well.
- Staff ensure children "quickly become familiar with the routines of the Reception Year" and build positive relationships.
- Leaders liaise effectively with parents, keeping them "well-informed about their children’s phonics learning."
- Incidents of discrimination and bullying are taken seriously, and pupils receive necessary support when these occur.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure teachers identify and address gaps in pupils' foundational knowledge of reading, writing, and mathematics to improve achievement.
- Systems for monitoring attendance and behaviour need strengthening to reduce persistent absence and inconsistent conduct, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.
- Leaders should ensure the personal development programme has a clearer impact on pupils' behaviour and social skills.
Safeguarding
The report states that "safeguarding standards are met," noting that leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 42% |
| 2023/24 | 27% |
| 2024/25 | 40% |
| 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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