St Stephen's CofE School
PRESTON, PR1 8JN · Lancashire · primary school
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323rd 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 — 2.1/10 against 1,867 of them, against 2.1/10 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 | 55.0 · 27 | 40% | 1.10 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| 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 Stephen's CofE School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 55.0% 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% of pupils, 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 (2.1 out of 10 either way). Ofsted rated the school Good in December 2023.
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 331 pupils against a stated capacity of 315. 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
Since the higher standard attainment is 0.0%, what specific support is available for pupils aiming to exceed the expected standard? How does the school manage class sizes given the current roll exceeds the designated places?
What Ofsted said about St Stephen's CofE School
Overview
St Stephen’s CofE School is described as a “friendly school where everyone is made to feel welcome,” fostering “kind and caring relationships” that help pupils grow in confidence. The inspection judged overall effectiveness as Good, with personal development rated Outstanding, highlighting a “calm and purposeful atmosphere” where pupils are “polite, respectful, kind and gentle.”
Strengths
- The school offers a “suitably broad and ambitious curriculum” with clearly identified key knowledge and teaching sequences.
- Personal development is exceptional, with an “extremely well-thought-through programme of personal, social and health education” that helps pupils understand how to keep themselves “healthy and safe.”
- Staff provide high-quality training and use “strong subject knowledge to explain new learning clearly,” ensuring pupils, including those with SEND, achieve well.
- Reading is a whole-school priority; phonics is delivered “consistently well,” and pupils enjoy access to “high-quality books” in “warm and inviting” reading areas.
- Governors provide an “appropriate balance of challenge and support,” and the school has taken positive action to reduce staff workload.
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, assessment strategies are not used effectively to identify gaps in knowledge or vocabulary, which “hinders some pupils from building their knowledge securely over time.” The school should ensure learning allows pupils to revisit useful knowledge for future tasks.
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 | 38% |
| 2023/24 | 47% |
| 2024/25 | 55% |
| 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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