St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Great Eccleston
Preston, PR3 0ZJ · Lancashire · primary school
Check the area around this school
125th 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 — 8.0/10 against 1,681 of them, against 6.5/10 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 | 63.0 · 46 | 40% | 1.85 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 25.0 · 96 | 25% | 2.40 |
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's Catholic Primary School, Great Eccleston overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 63.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. A higher 25.0% achieved the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.5 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2025.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in football and Forest School trips. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 44 pupils against a stated capacity of 54. 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 Forest School trip integrate with the weekly curriculum? What specific support is available for pupils who need extra help with reading?
What Ofsted said about St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Great Eccleston
Overview
The inspection confirms that St Mary's Catholic Primary School has "taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection." Pupils are described as "well known and celebrated" within an "inclusive, close-knit" environment where they arrive "cheerfully" and enjoy their time. The school is characterised as a "thriving hub of the community" with strong relationships between pupils, staff, and families.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from "warm, caring interactions" and play "joyfully together," creating a positive atmosphere.
- Reading is "central to the curriculum," with most pupils achieving "fluency and confidence" by the end of Year 2 through effective phonics support.
- Staff are "proud to be part of the school team" and appreciate the consideration given to their "well-being" and workload.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are "supported well" with clear approaches to identification and adaptation.
- The school places "great emphasis on helping to prepare pupils for life beyond the academic," including safety and life skills.
Areas to improve
- The curriculum in some subjects, including writing, lacks "small steps of knowledge," preventing some pupils from building a "secure body of knowledge."
- Errors in spelling, grammar, and handwriting sometimes "go unaddressed," leading to "gaps in their foundational knowledge."
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 | 50% |
| 2024/25 | 63% |
| 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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