St Oswald's Catholic Primary School
Warrington, WA1 3LB · Warrington · primary school
Check the area around this school
20th of 57 primary schools in Warrington we can score, 69 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 — 8.4/10 against 3,161 of them, against 7.6/10 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 | 72.0 · 71 | 40% | 2.83 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 16.0 · 85 | 25% | 2.13 |
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 overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 72.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 16.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.6 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in the School Council, Mini Vinnies, and orienteering, while also engaging with the Theatre Partnership Project and visiting Manchester Palace Theatre.
Getting in
The published school roll is 185 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 do not reach the higher standard in maths? What specific support is available for children joining in the current academic year? How does the Theatre Partnership Project integrate into the regular curriculum?
What Ofsted said about St Oswald's Catholic Primary School
Overview
St Oswald’s Catholic Primary School is judged ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, maintaining high standards since its previous ‘Outstanding’ rating. The report describes a nurturing environment where pupils feel happy, safe, and valued within a “calm” school community. Leaders have constructed a “broad and ambitious curriculum” that generally supports strong pupil achievement and personal development.
Strengths
- Pupils are “nurtured” by caring staff who know them well, fostering a sense of belonging where “everyone is welcome in their school family”.
- Behaviour is high quality, with pupils being “kind and care for each other” and requiring few reminders to maintain expected standards.
- The curriculum in most subjects clearly identifies key concepts, allowing staff to teach with clarity and help pupils “deepen their understanding”.
- The school promotes a “love of reading” with diverse texts, prioritising phonics development for younger children and new arrivals.
- Governors provide an “appropriate balance of challenge and support”, while staff appreciate efforts to consider their well-being and workload.
Areas to improve
- The school must ensure younger pupils struggling with reading, including some with SEND, receive support matched to their specific phonics gaps, as some read books containing sounds they do not yet know securely.
- In a small number of subjects, the most important knowledge is not clear enough, preventing staff from effectively checking retention or revisiting key concepts before introducing new learning.
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 | 69% |
| 2023/24 | 56% |
| 2024/25 | 72% |
| 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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