Crow Orchard Primary School
Skelmersdale, WN8 8QG · Lancashire · primary school
Check the area around this school
56th 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 — 9.2/10 against 2,325 of them, against 8.2/10 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 | 92.0 · 98 | 40% | 3.93 |
| 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.
Crow Orchard Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 92.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 8.0% achieved it against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (9.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join a breakfast club and an after-school club, and participate in karaoke and movie nights.
Getting in
The published school roll is 121 pupils against a stated capacity of 154. 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 yet meeting the expected standard in maths? What specific activities are included in the after-school club? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating in the coming years?
What Ofsted said about Crow Orchard Primary School
Overview
Crow Orchard Primary School continues to be a good school, where pupils feel happy, safe, and proud of their institution’s history. Leaders have strengthened the curriculum and safeguarding arrangements, ensuring that most pupils enjoy their learning and achieve well. The school fosters a supportive environment where staff feel valued and governors actively challenge leaders to secure improvements.
Strengths
- Pupils behave well, treating each other with kindness and following school values such as honesty and resilience.
- The curriculum is ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with knowledge building logically from early years to Year 6.
- Teachers have strong subject knowledge and check pupils’ understanding during lessons to swiftly address misconceptions.
- Leaders prioritise reading, introducing initiatives like the ‘Rainbow Reading Challenge’ and ensuring children in early years are exposed to quality texts.
- Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with improved physical security and well-trained staff who know how to identify at-risk pupils.
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, leaders have not clearly identified the important knowledge pupils need to learn, hindering the secure building of prior knowledge.
- Leaders have not ensured that pupils revisit their learning in a timely and effective way, leading to some pupils developing gaps in their knowledge over time.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders having strengthened procedures, improved site security, and ensured staff are well trained to identify risks and report concerns.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 56% |
| 2023/24 | 50% |
| 2024/25 | 92% |
| 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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