Bacup St Saviour's Community Primary School

About Bacup St Saviour's Community Primary School

Bacup St Saviour's Community Primary School sits in a challenging position compared with the Lancashire local authority average for Key Stage 2 outcomes. While the LA average for pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined is 60%, this school achieves just 43%. That gap of 17 percentage points places it 356th out of 480 primary schools in the county, firmly in the bottom half. The picture is more mixed when you look at individual subjects: 71% of pupils meet the expected standard in writing, which is a solid result, but maths lags at 57% and reading at 64%. The proportion reaching the higher standard in all three subjects is just 7%, which is low. These figures suggest a school where outcomes are inconsistent across the curriculum, and where the headline combined measure is significantly below what most Lancashire primaries manage.

The school's most recent graded Ofsted inspection, in 2019, rated it Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good. That was a notable improvement from the previous graded inspection in 2017, when the school was rated Requires Improvement. An ungraded inspection in July 2024 confirmed the school remains Good, so the upward trajectory has been maintained. The Early Years provision was rated Outstanding in both the 2017 and 2019 inspections, which is a real strength. Average scores in reading (101) and maths (100) at Key Stage 2 are close to the national benchmark of 100, so pupils are broadly on track in those subjects, even if the combined expected standard figure is lower than the LA average. The school has no sixth form and no nursery provision, so it serves the primary years only, from age 4 to 11.

With just 93 pupils against a capacity of 105, the school is not full, yet it was oversubscribed for 2025/26 entry, receiving 62 applications for 14 places. That suggests strong local demand despite the middling results. Over a third of pupils (34.4%) are eligible for free school meals, which is well above the national average and likely a factor in the attainment picture. Facilities include a Forest School, ICT suite, library, gymnasium and chapel, and the school runs clubs in drama, gardening, eco and choir. SEND provision covers dyslexia, speech and language needs, autistic spectrum disorder and social, emotional and mental health support. This is a small, inclusive primary that has improved its Ofsted rating and holds its own in reading and writing, but where maths outcomes and the combined expected standard need attention. It will suit families who value a community feel and strong Early Years provision, and who are comfortable with a school that is still working to close the gap to the LA average.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Bacup St Saviour's Community Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents