Farington Primary School

About Farington Primary School

Farington Primary School’s most recent Ofsted inspection, in January 2024, rated it Good across every category — a significant turnaround from its previous Inadequate rating in 2020. The school’s strongest academic metric is its Key Stage 2 reading results: 92% of pupils met the expected standard, well above the national average, and the average scaled score of 107 is notably high. In reading, 36% of pupils achieved the higher standard, which is a strong showing for a primary of this size. Maths is also solid, with 76% reaching the expected standard and an average score of 104. However, the combined reading, writing and maths expected standard sits at 64%, which is just above the Lancashire local authority average of 60%. The school ranks 20th out of 35 primaries in South Ribble on this combined measure, placing it in the middle of the pack locally.

The school’s Progress 8 data is not available, but the raw attainment figures tell a clear story. Writing is the weakest area: only 72% of pupils met the expected standard, and just 12% reached the higher standard. This contrasts with reading, where the school clearly excels. In the wider Lancashire context, Farington ranks 204th out of 480 state primaries, placing it in the top half of the authority. The school’s national percentile of 45.4 means it performs slightly above the median for all primaries in England. For parents focused on reading outcomes, this school punches above its weight; for those prioritising combined attainment, it is solid but not exceptional. The Ofsted report notes that behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and early years provision are all Good, suggesting a consistent quality across the board.

Farington Primary is a relatively small school, with 179 pupils against a capacity of 210, and it is oversubscribed: for 2025/26, there were 95 applications for 29 places, a ratio of 3.28 to one. Only 33 of those were first-preference applications, so while popular, it is not the most sought-after in the area. The school offers a broad range of facilities including a sensory room, gymnasium, sports hall, music rooms, and playing fields, plus a chapel. Sports include swimming, athletics, and gymnastics, and clubs range from coding and chess to choir and film club. SEND provision is comprehensive, covering autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, hearing and visual impairments, and social, emotional and mental health support. This makes it a strong option for families in South Ribble who want a well-resourced, inclusive primary with good reading outcomes and a clear improvement trajectory under headteacher Allan Williams.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Farington Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents