St Nicholas Church of England Primary School
Accrington, BB5 4DN · Lancashire · primary school
Check the area around this school
293rd 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 — 6.2/10 against 2,151 of them, against 5.1/10 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 | 68.0 · 60 | 40% | 2.40 |
| Ofsted | 10 | 35% | 0.34 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 4.0 · 35 | 25% | 0.88 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Nicholas Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 68.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the figure was 4.0% against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.1 out of 10 against all schools). The March 2026 inspection used the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 187 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 new inspection framework affect the current teaching priorities? What specific support is available for pupils aiming to reach the higher standard?
What Ofsted said about St Nicholas Church of England Primary School
Overview
The inspection found that St Nicholas Church of England Primary School meets the "Expected standard" across all key areas, including achievement, attendance, behaviour, curriculum, and leadership. Leaders have established a nurturing environment where pupils feel safe, valued, and well-prepared for the next stage of their education, with strong partnerships maintained with families and external agencies.
Strengths
- Pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, make steady progress and achieve outcomes in line with national averages.
- Attendance is consistently in line with national levels due to proactive monitoring and tailored support for vulnerable pupils.
- Behaviour is positive, with pupils described as "welcoming and polite" in a "calm and orderly environment" built on strong relationships with staff.
- The curriculum is "ambitious, broad and balanced," with a sharp focus on communication, reading, and vocabulary.
- Inclusion is a priority, with leaders showing "unwavering commitment" and effectively adapting provision to meet diverse pupil needs.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should support staff to ensure tasks are consistently designed to "fully engage pupils and maximise their learning," addressing occasional variability in task design.
- Leaders should ensure the curriculum is consistently taught well across all key stages to maximise learning opportunities, particularly for pupils with higher prior attainment.
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 | 82% |
| 2023/24 | 53% |
| 2024/25 | 68% |
| 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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