St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall
Rossendale, BB4 8SU · Lancashire · primary school
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40th 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 — 9.0/10 against 4,240 of them, against 9.0/10 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 | 81.0 · 89 | 40% | 3.57 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 19.0 · 90 | 25% | 2.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 81.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 19.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (9.0 out of 10 either way). Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the School Council and Play Leaders clubs. Sports include skiing, swimming, cricket, tennis, football, athletics, dodgeball, and badminton, alongside Arts & Crafts. Trips to Forest School and Hothersall Lodge are offered, with both breakfast and after-school clubs available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 211 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 manage class sizes when the roll exceeds capacity by 1? What specific support is available for pupils who do not reach the expected standard? How are the various sports and arts activities scheduled during the school day?
What Ofsted said about St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall
Overview
St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School continues to be a good school. Pupils are described as “friendly and welcoming,” building strong relationships with staff and maintaining high standards of behaviour. Leaders have established an ambitious curriculum that prepares pupils well for the next stage of their education.
Strengths
- Pupils exhibit a “positive attitude to learning” and are “well prepared for the next stage of their education.”
- Leaders have made reading a priority, ensuring books are “closely matched to the sounds that they have been taught” to develop fluency.
- The school offers diverse leadership roles, such as “digital leaders” and “mental health advocates,” allowing older pupils to act as role models.
- Governors possess a “vast range of skills and knowledge,” enabling them to challenge and support leaders effectively.
- Staff feel “well supported” and enjoy working at the school, with workload managed through streamlined policies.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, assessment strategies are at an “early stage of development,” meaning misconceptions can go unnoticed and hinder learning.
- Some teachers do not sufficiently adapt curriculum delivery for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), preventing them from accessing the same ambitious curriculum as peers.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders ensuring that circumstances leading to harm are “identified early and dealt with effectively.”
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 87% |
| 2023/24 | 73% |
| 2024/25 | 81% |
| 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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