The Cathedral Catholic Primary School, Lancaster
Lancaster, LA1 3BT · Lancashire · primary school
Check the area around this school
123rd 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 — 7.4/10 against 2,740 of them, against 6.5/10 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 | 80.0 · 88 | 40% | 3.51 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 3.0 · 29 | 25% | 0.73 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Cathedral Catholic Primary School, Lancaster overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 80.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 3.0% achieved it against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2025. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 195 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 activities take place during the after-school club? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the recent inspection?
What Ofsted said about The Cathedral Catholic Primary School, Lancaster
Overview
The Cathedral Catholic Primary School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The report describes a welcoming environment where pupils feel happy, safe, and secure, achieving well across many subjects. Governors are effective in supporting the school’s journey of continuous improvement.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "ambitious for all pupils" and designed with the school’s context in mind, helping pupils "understand their place in the world."
- Pupils demonstrate high standards of behaviour, being "kind and considerate to each other" and enjoying valuable relationships with peers and adults.
- Reading is a clear priority; staff are "well trained to support children" and quickly identify when pupils do not keep pace with the phonics programme.
- Pupils benefit from a "broad range of opportunities," including residential trips, sports, and charitable fundraising, which help develop self-esteem and talents.
- Staff receive effective support for workload and well-being, and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) access appropriately adapted resources.
Areas to improve
- The school should ensure staff design learning activities that consistently help pupils develop "sufficient depth of knowledge" in subjects.
- Staff must address pupils’ misunderstandings and knowledge gaps in a "timely manner" so that pupils do not move on to new learning before they are ready.
Safeguarding
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 | 79% |
| 2023/24 | 77% |
| 2024/25 | 80% |
| 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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