Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary Academy

About Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary Academy

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary Academy is clearly a popular choice among local families. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 64 applications for just 23 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.78. Every one of those 23 first-preference applicants was offered a spot, which suggests that while competition is real, those who put the school at the top of their list have a strong chance. The school is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary in Kirklees, with headteacher Kathie Gait leading a community of 222 pupils. It operates slightly above its official capacity of 210, which is a practical sign of demand. The school also offers nursery provision for children from age three, making it a natural choice for families looking for continuity from early years through to Year 6.

Academically, the school sits in a solid middle ground. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 61% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. That is just one percentage point above the Kirklees local authority average of 60%. The school’s ranking within the LA is 48th out of 94 primary schools, placing it in the bottom half of the local table, but the scores are tightly clustered. In individual subjects, 71% hit the expected standard in maths and writing, and 68% in reading. Higher-standard attainment is more modest: 16% in reading, 10% in maths, and just 3% in writing. The most recent Ofsted inspection, in July 2024, confirmed the school remains Good, a notable improvement from its 2008 Requires Improvement rating. Leadership and management, as well as overall effectiveness, were both graded Good.

The school is well equipped for a primary of its size, with a chapel, library, music rooms, art studios, ICT suite, sports hall, gymnasium and playing fields. Sports on offer include gymnastics, tennis, football, netball, rounders, swimming and cross country, and there are clubs for chess, choir, gardening, coding and book club. For families with children who have additional needs, the school’s SEND provisions cover specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate and severe learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs. With 29.7% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a diverse catchment. It suits families who value a Catholic ethos, want a full primary journey from nursery onward, and are comfortable with a school that performs around the local average academically but is clearly well regarded by the community.

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