Padiham Primary School

About Padiham Primary School

Padiham Primary School is clearly a popular choice among local families. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 78 applications for just 27 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.89. That means nearly three families applied for every available spot, and all 26 first-preference applicants were offered a place. While the school doesn't publish a parent recommendation percentage, this level of demand is a strong signal in itself. The school is a mixed, state primary for children aged 4 to 11, with a current roll of 281 pupils against a capacity of 325, so there is some room to grow. It has no religious character and is led by headteacher C Dunderdale. A significant 39.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is well above the national average, and the school clearly serves a diverse community.

Academically, Padiham Primary was rated Good in its most recent graded Ofsted inspection in 2013, and an ungraded inspection in February 2023 confirmed the school remains Good. The previous inspection in 2010 had rated it Requires Improvement, so the improvement is notable. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 50% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. That is below the Lancashire local authority average of 60%. Individual subject scores were more mixed: 64% reached the expected standard in reading, 64% in writing, and 64% in maths. However, only 2% achieved the higher standard across all three subjects. The average scaled scores were 101 in both reading and maths. Nationally, the school ranks in the bottom 50% of primaries on this combined measure, sitting at the 78th percentile.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a library, sports hall, ICT suite, sensory room, forest school, and even a chapel. Sports include football, netball, cricket, rounders and gymnastics, and there are clubs for gardening, drama and choir. SEND provision is broad, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech and language needs, autistic spectrum disorder, visual impairment, physical disability, and social, emotional and mental health support. This makes it a potentially good fit for families whose children need additional support in a mainstream setting. The nearest Outstanding-rated primary is Burnley Stoneyholme Community Primary School, 3.7 km away, so for many families in the immediate area, Padiham is the most practical choice. It suits families who value a well-subscribed local school with strong pastoral and SEND support, even if academic outcomes are more mixed than the local average.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Padiham Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents