St Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy
112%
Capacity
456
Pupils
2.3x
Demand
About St Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy
St Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Preston community, welcoming children from age 3 to 11. The school has 456 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (112% of 406 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated St Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy "Requires Improvement", the school is led by headteacher Mark Mackley, it falls under Lancashire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 38% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 12667th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 42nd out of 45 in Preston.
St Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 115 applications for 50 places, making it 2.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 46 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy include Playing Fields, Library, ICT Suite, Music Rooms, Sensory Room, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Gymnastics, Swimming, Dance, Athletics, as well as clubs including Drama, Choir, Chess.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 28.4%, which is above the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Preston, St Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy 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 | Church of England |
| Address | New Hall Lane, Preston, Preston, PR1 5XB |
| Headteacher | Mark Mackley |
| Local Authority | Lancashire |
| Number of Pupils | 456 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 28.4% |
| School Capacity | 456 / 406 (112% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
14 Jan 2025Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 13 Feb 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (38%)
12667th of 13,686
Nationally
1889th of 2,065
In North West
42nd of 45
In Preston
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
38%
Expected Standard
0%
Higher Standard
'22/23
38%
'23/24
38%
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
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
7Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed50
115
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
46 families put this school as their 1st choice (40% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy
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
New Hall Lane, Preston
Preston, PR1 5XB
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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