St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Withnell
94%
Capacity
99
Pupils
4.8x
Demand
About St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Withnell
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Withnell is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary school serving the Chorley community, welcoming children from age 4 to 11. The school has 99 pupils on roll and is well-filled (94% of 105 places).
the school is led by headteacher Katie Cunliffe, it falls under Lancashire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 79% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — well above the national average. Additionally, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Additionally, ranked 1787th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 5th out of 46 in Chorley.
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Withnell is a popular choice with families — it received 38 applications for 8 places, making it 4.8x oversubscribed. Of these, 8 were first-preference applications.
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Withnell parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is overwhelmingly positive, with 95% recommending the school (43 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 3 areas, including Speech, Language & Communication, Physical Disability, Other Difficulty/Disability. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Withnell include Sensory Room, Dining Hall, Outdoor Playground, Art Studios, Forest School, Playing Fields, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Tennis, Athletics, Dance, Football and 3 more, as well as clubs including Drama, Choir, Film Club.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 6.1%, which is well below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Chorley, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Withnell is one of the options available in the North West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 4 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Bury Lane, Chorley, Chorley, PR6 8SD |
| Headteacher | Katie Cunliffe |
| Local Authority | Lancashire |
| Number of Pupils | 99 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 6.1% |
| School Capacity | 99 / 105 (94% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
17 Dec 2024Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Latest inspection (17 Dec 2024): Standards maintained
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 14 Nov 2019. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (79%)
1787th of 13,686
Nationally
227th of 2,065
In North West
5th of 46
In Chorley
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
79%
Expected Standard
29%
Higher Standard
'22/23
83%
'23/24
79%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
Ofsted Parent View
43 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed8
38
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
8 families put this school as their 1st choice (21% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Withnell
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Bury Lane, Chorley
Chorley, PR6 8SD
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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