Leyland St James Church of England Primary School

About Leyland St James Church of England Primary School

Leyland St James Church of England Primary School sits comfortably above the Lancashire local authority average for Key Stage 2 outcomes, with 71% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to the LA average of 60%. That eleven-point gap places the school in the top half of primary schools in South Ribble, ranked 12th out of 35, and nationally it sits in the 28th percentile. The school’s reading results are particularly strong — 90% of pupils met the expected standard and 23% achieved a higher standard — while maths also performed well, with 81% at expected and an average scaled score of 104. Writing was the relative weak spot: 74% at expected and just 6% at the higher level. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023 confirmed it remains Good overall, with leadership and management also rated Good, and early years provision judged Outstanding — an upgrade from its previous Good rating in that area.

Academic outcomes at Leyland St James are solid but uneven. The proportion of pupils reaching the higher standard in reading, writing and maths combined was just 3%, which is low even by national primary norms. That said, the school’s Progress 8 data is not available, so it’s hard to say how much value it adds relative to pupils’ starting points. The Ofsted ungraded inspection in 2023 noted the school remains Good, and the previous graded inspection in 2014 also rated it Good overall, with leadership and management Good. The early years provision, however, has been rated Outstanding since at least the 2014 inspection, which is a notable strength for Reception-age children. With 17.8% of pupils eligible for free school meals — slightly above the national average for primary schools — the school serves a mixed catchment, and its results suggest it is supporting most children to meet expectations, even if fewer are reaching the highest tiers.

The school is heavily oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, there were 92 applications for 29 places, a ratio of 3.17 applicants per place, and only 26 of 28 first-preference families received an offer. This reflects strong local demand. Facilities include a library, music rooms, art studios, a sports hall, a sensory room and a chapel, and the school offers a range of clubs from drama and gardening to eco club and coding. SEND provision covers specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language difficulties, and autistic spectrum disorder. For families who prioritise strong reading outcomes, a Church of England ethos, and a school that feels both popular and well-led, Leyland St James is a compelling choice — though those seeking very high proportions of pupils exceeding expectations may want to look at the top-ranked schools in the area, such as Crawford Village or New Longton All Saints.

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