St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Stacksteads, Bacup
Bacup, OL13 8LD · Lancashire · primary school
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411st 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 — 1.9/10 against 826 of them, against 1.6/10 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 | 50.0 · 19 | 40% | 0.76 |
| Ofsted | 5 | 35% | 0.18 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Stacksteads, Bacup overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 50.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0% 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 (1.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.6 out of 10 against all schools). The school was inspected in April 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Star Kids After School Club, attend film nights, and participate in swimming, arts and crafts, and Lego sessions. A breakfast club is also available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 125 pupils against a stated capacity of 145. 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 areas did the April 2026 inspection highlight for improvement?
What Ofsted said about St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Stacksteads, Bacup
Overview
The report describes a welcoming school where pupils feel safe and are well supported, particularly those with special educational needs. However, academic achievement is below average due to uneven progress and gaps in foundational skills, while attendance rates remain low.
Strengths
- Leaders have established an inclusive culture where "everyone is welcome," with staff well trained to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
- Pupils enjoy a broad curriculum enriched by visitors and trips, and they are taught to respect differences and understand fundamental British values.
- Staff provide strong pastoral support, helping pupils to become "resilient and independent" and fostering positive relationships.
- Pupil leadership has a "positive impact on school life," with students taking pride in roles such as playground leaders and sustainability initiatives.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure the curriculum is taught consistently well, particularly in the early years, so pupils secure foundations in reading and writing without needing to catch up later.
- Teachers need to identify and remedy weaknesses in pupils' writing knowledge and ensure they do not proceed with new content until key skills are secured.
- Leaders and governors should improve their oversight of teaching quality and attendance strategies to reduce absence levels and address variability in curriculum delivery.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing "an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 25% |
| 2023/24 | 14% |
| 2024/25 | 50% |
| 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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