Dolphinholme Church of England Primary School
Lancaster, LA2 9AN · Lancashire · primary school
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37th 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 2,448 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 8.4/10 among them, against 9.0/10 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 | 85.0 · 94 | 40% | 3.75 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 15.0 · 84 | 25% | 2.09 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Dolphinholme Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 85.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 15.0%, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 8.4 out of 10 among them, against 9.0 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in the Daily Mile and visit the Isle of Man. Breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 82 pupils against a stated capacity of 98. 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 progress from the expected to the higher standard? What does the Daily Mile routine look like for younger children? How are places allocated for the upcoming academic year?
What Ofsted said about Dolphinholme Church of England Primary School
Overview
Dolphinholme Church of England Primary School is judged ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, including the quality of education, behaviour, and leadership. The report describes a ‘small and friendly school’ where pupils are ‘happy members’ who ‘enjoy taking on various positions of responsibility’. Leaders have designed a ‘broad and ambitious’ curriculum that builds learning logically, supported by staff who deliver lessons with confidence.
Strengths
- Pupils ‘make strong progress through the curriculum’ and ‘happily rise to meet’ high expectations, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- The school ‘develops a love of reading’, with most pupils becoming ‘accomplished readers’ who read with ‘expression and strong understanding’ by the end of key stage 2.
- Pupils demonstrate ‘very positive attitudes to their work’ and ‘behave well’, with learning ‘rarely disrupted by others’.
- Leaders ‘make staff training a high priority’ and carefully consider ‘staff well-being and workload’ when implementing changes.
- Parents and carers ‘feel a valued part of this tight-knit community’ and speak ‘very positively’ about the school.
Areas to improve
- The school should ensure recent curriculum refinements in a few subjects become ‘embedded so that pupils know more and remember more over time’, as some currently have ‘gaps in their knowledge’.
- Teachers should use assessment information ‘more effectively’ in these recently refined subjects to ‘address any misconceptions and shape future teaching appropriately’.
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 | 82% |
| 2023/24 | 93% |
| 2024/25 | 85% |
| 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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