Calder Vale St John Church of England Primary School
Preston, PR3 1SR · Lancashire · primary school
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432nd 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 — 0.0/10 against 2,592 of them, against 0.4/10 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) 2023/24 | 0.0 · 0 | 40% | 0.00 |
| Ofsted | 10 | 35% | 0.34 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2023/24 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Calder Vale St John Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2023/24, 0.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 63%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0%, against a national median of 6%. 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 (0.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in March 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 39 pupils against a stated capacity of 60. 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 not reaching expected standards in core subjects? What specific steps are taken to improve attainment in reading and maths? How does the new Ofsted framework affect current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Calder Vale St John Church of England Primary School
Overview
The report describes a small, caring school where leaders have a "deep understanding of pupils’ individual needs," particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Pupils achieve well and are "well prepared for their next steps in education," benefiting from a "broad and balanced curriculum" and a "harmonious school environment."
Strengths
- Pupils "achieve well" in English and mathematics, with younger pupils building "positive habits" for early reading and handwriting.
- Staff effectively support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, ensuring they "progress well through the curriculum from their individual starting points."
- The school fosters a "positive learning environment" where pupils are "kind towards each other" and bullying is rare.
- Leaders take "effective action to remove barriers that affect attendance," including providing a daily school minibus service.
- Pupils develop "genuine respect and tolerance for the differences of others" and engage in personal development activities that prepare them for life in modern Britain.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure their approaches to "strategically evaluating the quality and impact of the school’s practices" are robust across all areas to base decisions on "insightful and detailed information."
- Leaders should "review and enhance the school’s extra-curricular offer" so pupils can explore a "wider variety of potential interests and talents," as current opportunities are "narrower than pupils would like."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns being "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
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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