St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy
Bacup, OL13 9LJ · Lancashire · primary school
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438th 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 — 0.2/10 against 103 of them, against 0.4/10 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 | 15.0 · 1 | 40% | 0.02 |
| 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 Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 15.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0%, 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 (0.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.4 out of 10 against all schools). An inspection in April 2026 assessed the school under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join a Lego Day, learn a musical instrument, and participate in swimming. Both a breakfast club and an after-school club are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 94 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 to progress from the current 15.0% expected standard to the national median? What specific strategies are used to improve attainment in reading, writing, and maths? How does the new inspection framework affect the school's current improvement plans?
What Ofsted said about St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy
Overview
The report states that the school has been stabilised by new leadership following a period of instability, with inspectors concluding it “no longer requires significant improvement.” While early years provision is praised as “well designed” and personal development is rated at an “expected standard,” most other areas are judged to “need attention.” Older pupils continue to face challenges due to historical gaps in knowledge, and teaching quality remains variable across the school.
Strengths
- Early years children benefit from a “language-rich learning environment” and a curriculum “aligned closely with the key stage 1 curriculum.”
- Leaders have created an “open culture” for safeguarding where concerns are “actively identified, acted upon and managed.”
- Pupils demonstrate a strong sense of belonging, with high participation in after-school activities and leadership roles like the ‘GIFT’ team.
- Staff interactions in the early years effectively support children’s “communication and language” development.
- The school is described as “welcoming,” with pupils feeling “safe and happy” and reporting improved social times.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must reduce variability in curriculum delivery so all pupils, including those with SEND and disadvantaged pupils, “learn all that they should.”
- Systems to prompt regular attendance need embedding to reduce the “stubbornly high” persistent absence rates.
- Teachers must better use information about pupils’ needs to adapt teaching and help pupils “overcome barriers to learning.”
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 32% |
| 2023/24 | 37% |
| 2024/25 | 15% |
| 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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