Great Harwood Primary School
Blackburn, BB6 7JQ · Lancashire · primary school
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283rd 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 — 3.5/10 against 2,068 of them, against 3.1/10 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 | 52.0 · 22 | 40% | 0.88 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 6.0 · 45 | 25% | 1.12 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Great Harwood Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 52.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 6.0% of pupils, 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 (3.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Construction, Craft, Social, Friendship, Cooking, STEM, Sewing and Lego Construction clubs. Sports include Neon Dodgeball, Gymnastics, Netball, Football, Cricket, Running and Athletics, alongside Chess. Arts provision features a Choir and Music Tuition. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 210 pupils against a stated capacity of 315. 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 support is available for children who need extra help with reading? How does the school manage class sizes given the current roll?
What Ofsted said about Great Harwood Primary School
Overview
Great Harwood Primary School is rated as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, including overall effectiveness, the quality of education, and leadership. Pupils are described as happy, interested in their learning, and respectful, with strong positive feedback from parents regarding staff support and communication.
Strengths
- The school has successfully prioritised reading, ensuring children are ‘immersed in high-quality texts’ and that most pupils become ‘fluent readers’ by key stage 2.
- Staff are ‘well equipped’ to deliver a logically ordered curriculum, with clear explanations helping pupils acquire necessary knowledge and vocabulary.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified quickly and achieve well, as staff skillfully adapt the curriculum so they ‘learn the same curriculum as their peers’.
- Behaviour is excellent, with a ‘calm atmosphere’ in lessons and staff effectively helping pupils understand how their actions impact others.
- Leaders have fostered ‘strong links between staff and parents’, particularly improving how families support their children with reading.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, the ‘most important key knowledge that pupils should learn is not clear enough for teachers’, hindering the secure building of prior learning.
- Some pupils lack sufficient opportunities to develop ‘sporting and artistic skills and abilities’ beyond the academic curriculum, limiting their chance to hone talents and interests.
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 | 40% |
| 2023/24 | 56% |
| 2024/25 | 52% |
| 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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