Catforth Primary School
Preston, PR4 0HL · Lancashire · primary school
Check the area around this school
269th 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 4,203 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.4/10 among 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 | 50.0 · 19 | 40% | 0.76 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 8.0 · 57 | 25% | 1.43 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Catforth Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 50.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the school recorded 8.0% against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in October 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.4 out of 10 among them, against 3.4 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join a swimming club, with breakfast and after-school clubs also available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 100 pupils against a stated capacity of 104. 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 to bridge the gap between the 50.0% expected standard and the national median of 64%? What specific strategies are used to maintain the higher standard achievement rate of 8.0%? How does the small class size, implied by the 100-pupil roll, affect individual attention during lessons?
What Ofsted said about Catforth Primary School
Overview
Catforth Primary School continues to be a good school, where pupils are keen to meet high expectations and strive to ‘be the best that we can be’. The inspection confirms that many pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), leave well prepared for the next stage of education.
Strengths
- Pupils feel happy and safe, benefiting from positive relationships with staff and a culture where they ‘treat one another with care and consideration’.
- The phonics programme is taught well, with books closely matching learned sounds, helping many pupils become ‘fluent and confident readers by the end of key stage 1’.
- Teachers receive appropriate training to develop subject knowledge and support pupils with SEND, ensuring learning activities ‘effectively build on what pupils already know’.
- Pupils take on responsibilities such as being class monitors or school council members, which builds their ‘understanding of empathy and compassion’.
- Governors ‘ably support and challenge the school to improve the quality of education’, while staff workload and well-being are supported well.
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, the curriculum does not cover all content set out in the national curriculum, meaning pupils ‘do not deepen their knowledge as well as they should’. The school should refine the curriculum to ensure full coverage.
Safeguarding
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 | 70% |
| 2023/24 | 71% |
| 2024/25 | 50% |
| 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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