Water Primary School
Rossendale, BB4 9PX · Lancashire · primary school
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369th 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 — 0.4/10 against 2,439 of them, against 0.7/10 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 | 36.0 · 6 | 40% | 0.22 |
| 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.
Water Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 36.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0%, 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 (0.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.7 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in National School Sports Week, Premier League U11 Girls National Finals, U11 Mixed English Schools Northern Finals, and Young Voices.
Getting in
The published school roll is 116 pupils against a stated capacity of 140. 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 are below the expected standard in core subjects? What specific steps are taken to improve attainment in reading and writing? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while addressing current performance gaps?
What Ofsted said about Water Primary School
Overview
Water Primary School is rated as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, including overall effectiveness, the quality of education, and leadership. Pupils are described as proud members of a ‘close-knit community’ who feel ‘safe and happy’ and strive to meet staff’s ‘high expectations’. The school benefits from a ‘broad and knowledge rich’ curriculum and strong staff morale, with leaders effectively supporting both pupils and staff well-being.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘broad and knowledge rich’, with leaders having an ‘accurate understanding’ of subject content and sequencing.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are ‘fastidiously’ identified and supported with ‘highly effective strategies’ to achieve well.
- Reading has an ‘appropriately high profile’, with staff following the phonics programme with ‘fidelity’ and providing effective support for those at risk.
- Behaviour is exemplary; pupils are ‘well mannered and polite’ with ‘no disruption in lessons’ and a ‘strong sense of belonging’.
- Governors ‘support and challenge leaders effectively’, while staff report ‘high levels of morale’ and feeling like ‘part of a small family’.
Areas to improve
- In ‘one or two subjects’, teachers do not use the ‘most appropriate activities’ to teach new ideas, hindering some pupils’ knowledge acquisition.
- Teachers sometimes fail to identify and address pupils’ errors and misunderstandings ‘quickly enough’, allowing mistakes to go unchecked.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with a ‘strong culture of safeguarding’ supported by up-to-date staff training and robust reporting processes.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 79% |
| 2023/24 | 71% |
| 2024/25 | 36% |
| 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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