St Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy
Burnley, BB12 0JD · Lancashire · primary school
Check the area around this school
105th 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 7.6/10 against 3,267 of them, against 7.0/10 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 | 69.0 · 63 | 40% | 2.51 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 14.0 · 81 | 25% | 2.03 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 69.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 14.0% achieved this, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.0 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 191 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 working towards the expected standard in maths? What specific trips are planned for the current academic year? How does the school manage class sizes given the current roll of 191?
What Ofsted said about St Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy
Overview
Pupils arrive at school “happy and ready to learn” and are “well supported by staff” who maintain high expectations for achievement. The school fosters a positive environment where children are “calm and polite,” demonstrating a strong willingness to learn and pride in their responsibilities. Leaders have established effective systems for curriculum delivery and staff support, ensuring pupils make good progress across subjects.
Strengths
- Staff deliver a “well thought out” curriculum that helps pupils “build logically on earlier learning” and deepen their understanding.
- A “strong reading culture” is underpinned by high-quality texts, with staff skilfully delivering a phonics scheme that supports early reading.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive tailored support and “participate fully in all that the school has to offer.”
- Leaders have built “positive relationships with parents,” improving communication so families feel “better informed about their children’s learning.”
- Staff workload has been reduced, and employees “feel well supported by leaders” and enjoy working at the school.
Areas to improve
- Ensure staff deliver all aspects of the reading curriculum sufficiently well to help pupils become “confident and fluent readers” more quickly.
- Ensure pupils develop a secure understanding of different cultures so they are “better prepared to take their place in a culturally diverse society.”
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 | 32% |
| 2023/24 | 53% |
| 2024/25 | 69% |
| 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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