St Mary's CofE Primary School Rawtenstall
ROSSENDALE, BB4 8RZ · Lancashire · primary school
Check the area around this school
231st 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 — 4.1/10 against 3,191 of them, against 4.1/10 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 13.0 · 78 | 25% | 1.94 |
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 CofE Primary School Rawtenstall 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%. A higher 13.0% achieved the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2025. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (4.1 out of 10 either way).
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club for pupils.
Getting in
The published school roll is 182 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 below the expected standard in literacy? What specific activities take place during the after-school club? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2025 inspection?
What Ofsted said about St Mary's CofE Primary School Rawtenstall
Overview
St Mary’s CofE Primary School Rawtenstall has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The report describes the school as a "happy, welcoming" environment where staff foster "warm and positive relationships" that help pupils feel safe and settle quickly. Pupils behave well, demonstrate the school’s values, and typically achieve well across a range of subjects due to high academic expectations.
Strengths
- The school has designed an "ambitious curriculum" that is "carefully ordered to aid pupils’ progress" and provides clear guidance for teachers.
- Reading is a priority; knowledgeable staff teach an "appropriately ambitious phonics curriculum effectively," ensuring the majority of pupils become successful readers.
- Staff use "strong subject knowledge to make checks on what pupils know and remember," addressing gaps to help pupils build detailed knowledge.
- The needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are "identified accurately," allowing them to access the same curriculum as their peers.
- Attendance rates have increased successfully and are now "in line with national averages."
Areas to improve
- The school’s expectations for pupils’ early writing are "not sufficiently ambitious," hindering the development of appropriate foundations for written communication.
- Resources used to practise writing are "not matched well enough to their needs," leading to misconceptions around letter formation, spelling, and punctuation.
- The school should ensure an "increased emphasis on pupils’ writing skills and knowledge" so that writing fluency improves to match success in reading.
Safeguarding
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 | 58% |
| 2023/24 | 57% |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of BB4 8RZ, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT