St Mary Magdalen's Catholic Primary School
91%
Capacity
191
Pupils
3.1x
Demand
About St Mary Magdalen's Catholic Primary School
St Mary Magdalen's Catholic Primary School is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary school serving the South Ribble community, welcoming children from age 3 to 11. The school has 191 pupils on roll and is well-filled (91% of 210 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated St Mary Magdalen's Catholic Primary School "Requires Improvement", the school is led by headteacher Claire McKinnon, it falls under Lancashire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 67% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — above the national average. Additionally, ranked 5207th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 17th out of 35 in South Ribble.
St Mary Magdalen's Catholic Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 62 applications for 20 places, making it 3.1x oversubscribed. Of these, 20 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 4 areas, including Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 1 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Mary Magdalen's Catholic Primary School include Library, Sports Hall, Gymnasium, Outdoor Playground, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Gymnastics, Football, Cricket, Cross Country and 3 more, as well as clubs including Art Club, Coding, Chess, Gardening and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 14.7%, which is below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in South Ribble, St Mary Magdalen's Catholic Primary School 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 | 3 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Buller Avenue, Preston, South Ribble, PR1 9QQ |
| Headteacher | Claire McKinnon |
| Local Authority | Lancashire |
| Number of Pupils | 191 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 14.7% |
| School Capacity | 191 / 210 (91% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
14 May 2024Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 27 Jun 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (67%)
5207th of 13,686
Nationally
764th of 2,065
In North West
17th of 35
In South Ribble
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
67%
Expected Standard
0%
Higher Standard
'22/23
43%
'23/24
67%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
5Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
12Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed20
62
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
20 families put this school as their 1st choice (32% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Mary Magdalen's Catholic Primary School
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
Buller Avenue, Preston
South Ribble, PR1 9QQ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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