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Bacup Thorn Primary School

Rossendale, OL13 8EFPrimaryAges 4–11MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Nov 2023
KS2 Results
53%
meeting expected standard in RWM
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
34 1st-choice / 34 places
Ranking
#9,913
of 13,686 nationally

About Bacup Thorn Primary School

Bacup Thorn Primary School is a state-funded, mixed-gender primary school in Rossendale, Lancashire, for children aged 4 to 11. With 274 pupils on roll against a capacity of 276, the school is effectively full, and demand is strong: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 67 applications for 34 places, an oversubscription ratio of 1. 97. All 34 first-preference applicants were offered a place, suggesting that while competition exists, local families who prioritise the school have a good chance of securing a spot. The school serves a community with a notably high level of disadvantage — 36. 9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average of around 23% and significantly higher than the Lancashire local authority average of roughly 20%. This context makes the school’s performance and support structures particularly relevant for families considering how well their child’s needs might be met in a diverse, inclusive setting.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range4 to 11 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressCowtoot Lane, Bacup, Rossendale, OL13 8EF
HeadteacherAlison Edgar
Local AuthorityLancashire
Number of Pupils274
Free School Meals (FSM)36.9%
School Capacity274 / 276 (99% full)

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

28 Nov 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Early Years Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 18 Jan 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

SEND Support

DyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageLearning Difficulty

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Bacup Thorn Primary School

Bacup Thorn Primary School has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.