St Oswald's Catholic Primary School, Longton
Preston, PR4 5EB · Lancashire · primary school
Check the area around this school
58th 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 the 3,124 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.4/10 among them, against 8.2/10 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 | 73.0 · 73 | 40% | 2.93 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 27.0 · 97 | 25% | 2.42 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Oswald's Catholic Primary School, Longton overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 73.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 27.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.4 out of 10 among them, against 8.2 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in a Gardening Club, lunchtime sport, the Daily Mile, and Forest School trips.
Getting in
The published school roll is 246 pupils against a stated capacity of 245. 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
What specific support is available for pupils who do not reach the expected standard? How is the Forest School trip integrated into the wider curriculum?
What Ofsted said about St Oswald's Catholic Primary School, Longton
Overview
St Oswald’s Catholic Primary School continues to be a good school, providing a "friendly and caring learning community" where pupils feel happy and safe. Leaders have designed an "ambitious" curriculum that supports high achievement, particularly in reading and core subjects, while fostering positive relationships and strong behaviour.
Strengths
- Pupils are "articulate and confident," benefiting from a "broad and varied curriculum" and a "vast array of extra-curricular clubs."
- Teachers deliver the curriculum well in most subjects, breaking learning into "small steps" and providing regular opportunities to "recap and reinforce" knowledge.
- An "effective reading programme" ensures pupils, including those with special educational needs, become "confident, fluent and avid readers."
- Leaders accurately identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring they access the same curriculum through adapted delivery.
- Governors "challenge and support leaders effectively," while staff appreciate efforts to look after their workload and well-being.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure curriculums in some foundation subjects define the most important knowledge and are "logically ordered" so pupils can build securely on prior learning.
- Assessment strategies in these subjects need refinement to help teachers "pinpoint and remedy pupils’ gaps in knowledge" and identify misconceptions quickly.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a "strong culture of safeguarding" where staff are well-trained and leaders monitor cases diligently.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 77% |
| 2023/24 | 64% |
| 2024/25 | 73% |
| 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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