St Bede's Catholic Primary School
Chorley, PR6 7EB · Lancashire · primary school
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178th 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 — 5.2/10 against 3,927 of them, against 5.4/10 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 | 65.0 · 52 | 40% | 2.07 |
| 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.
St Bede's Catholic Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 65.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared with the national median of 64%. 8.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (5.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in December 2022.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in tennis, football, cross country, cheerleading, crown green bowling, and swimming. Trips include visits to Robin Wood, Cuerden Valley Park, Chester, Jodrell Bank Observatory, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and Martin Mere Wetland Centre. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 207 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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 expected standards in maths? What specific activities are included in the after-school club? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2022 inspection?
What Ofsted said about St Bede's Catholic Primary School
Overview
St Bede’s Catholic Primary School continues to be a good school, where pupils feel "happy and safe" and are "enthusiastic and eager to learn." Leaders have established a clear vision for improvement, with a recently reviewed curriculum that helps pupils build "securely on what they already know."
Strengths
- Staff welcome pupils warmly, creating an environment where children feel "cared for and valued" and trust staff with their worries.
- Teachers present information clearly and use assessment systems well, ensuring pupils "recall this readily, when needed."
- Children in the early years benefit from "well-designed and engaging experiences" that develop their confidence and independence.
- All staff are well trained in phonics, using books that "precisely match the sounds" pupils are learning, helping them become independent readers quickly.
- Governors are supportive yet ask "challenging questions," and parents describe the school as "caring" and "nurturing."
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure the new curriculums are "implemented rigorously" and evaluate their impact, as they are not yet fully assured of consistent delivery by all staff.
- Teachers need to develop skills to better "adapt the delivery of subject curriculums" for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), as some do not achieve as highly as they could.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a "strong culture of safeguarding" across the school and staff who act on concerns "quickly and diligently."
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 66% |
| 2023/24 | 77% |
| 2024/25 | 65% |
| 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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