St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, Osbaldeston

About St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, Osbaldeston

St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, Osbaldeston, holds a Good rating from Ofsted, a grade it has maintained consistently across its two most recent inspections. The most telling academic metric for this small primary school is the proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which stands at 43%. This figure sits below the Lancashire local authority average of 60%, placing the school in the bottom half of primary schools nationally, at the 88th percentile. In the Ribble Valley, it ranks 22nd out of 25 primary schools on this measure. However, the school's individual subject scores tell a more nuanced story: 71% of pupils met the expected standard in maths, with an average scaled score of 105, and 64% did so in writing. Reading was the weakest area, with 57% reaching the expected level. The proportion of pupils achieving the higher standard in any subject was low, at 7% for both reading, writing and maths combined.

The school's small size is a defining feature. With just 73 pupils on roll against a capacity of 99, it offers a genuinely intimate setting. Ofsted's 2022 ungraded inspection confirmed the school 'remains Good', noting that leadership and management were also Good. The previous graded inspection in 2013 had awarded Good across the board, with early years provision rated as Satisfactory (a grade 2 in the old framework). The school's nursery provision means children can join from age three, and the Roman Catholic character is reflected in the on-site chapel. A range of SEND provisions are in place, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, speech and language needs, and autistic spectrum disorder, which is useful for families whose children require that level of targeted support.

Admissions are highly competitive. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 28 applications for just 8 places, an oversubscription ratio of 3.5 to one. All eight first-preference applicants were offered a place, but the remaining 20 families would have been disappointed. This suggests a strong local reputation despite the modest exam results. Facilities include a library, sensory room, playing fields, and an art studio, plus clubs ranging from gardening and chess to drama and science club. Sports on offer include athletics, netball, cricket, swimming and tennis. This is a school that will suit families who prioritise a small, faith-based community with a nurturing atmosphere over raw academic league-table performance, and who are prepared for the competitive admissions process.

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