Rawtenstall St Paul's Church of England Primary School
Rawtenstall, BB4 8HW · Lancashire · primary school
Check the area around this school
333rd 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 3,752 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.9/10 among them, against 1.6/10 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 | 44.0 · 12 | 40% | 0.47 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 2.0 · 24 | 25% | 0.59 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Rawtenstall St Paul's Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 44.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 2.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.9 out of 10 among them, against 1.6 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join RE, Mindfulness, Kindness and Meditation clubs, perform in Christmas Story and iSing pop, and visit Larkhill Rise Forest School.
Getting in
The published school roll is 276 pupils against a stated capacity of 295. 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 steps are taken to improve attainment in writing? How does the Forest School trip integrate with the regular curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Rawtenstall St Paul's Church of England Primary School
Overview
Rawtenstall St Paul’s Church of England Primary School continues to be a good school, maintaining a "calm, purposeful atmosphere" where pupils are "happy, polite, welcoming and respectful." Leaders have established high expectations for behaviour and work, ensuring that students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), "achieve well" and feel safe. The school fosters a strong sense of community, with pupils taking pride in their learning and engaging in a wide range of extra-curricular activities.
Strengths
- Leaders have designed an "ambitious curriculum" that incorporates school values and considers pupil interests, providing a "rich range of experiences."
- Early reading is a particular strength; staff use a consistent approach to phonics, ensuring children develop knowledge "systematically" and become "fluent readers."
- Staff support for pupils with SEND is effective, with needs identified quickly so these pupils can "learn the full curriculum" and receive necessary help.
- Staff well-being is prioritised, with leaders helping to manage workload and ensuring staff are "free from harassment."
- Governors "know the school well" and "challenge and support leaders in equal measure," demonstrating effective governance.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, it is "unclear what pupils should learn and when this knowledge should be taught," hindering teachers from ensuring learning is secure. Leaders must provide clearer guidance to help pupils "know and remember more over time."
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a "strong culture of safeguarding" ensuring vulnerable pupils receive timely support and that concerns are properly identified, recorded, and reviewed.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 53% |
| 2023/24 | 50% |
| 2024/25 | 44% |
| 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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