The Olive School, Preston

About The Olive School, Preston

The Olive School, Preston, is a state primary that significantly outperforms the Lancashire local authority average at Key Stage 2. In the 2023/24 academic year, 90% of its pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a local authority average of just 60%. That 30-percentage-point gap is striking and places the school second out of 45 primaries in Preston, putting it in the top five per cent nationally. The school is also oversubscribed by a factor of more than three to one, with 199 applications for 60 places in the 2025/26 intake, and 104 of those as first preferences. It is a Muslim faith school, though open to all, and its headteacher is Parveen Yusuf. The school is at full capacity with 420 pupils on roll, and 14% are eligible for free school meals, which is slightly below the national average for primary schools.

Academic outcomes are strong across the board. In reading, 93% of pupils met the expected standard and 53% reached the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 110. In maths, 97% met the expected standard and 55% reached the higher standard, again with an average score of 110. Writing saw 93% at the expected level and 37% at the higher level. The school’s most recent graded Ofsted inspection, in June 2019, rated it Outstanding overall, with Outstanding for leadership and management, early years provision, and personal development. An ungraded inspection in December 2024 confirmed that standards were maintained. Parent feedback is overwhelmingly positive: 93% would recommend the school, and 96% of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy there. Strong majorities also felt the school has high expectations and that their child does well.

The school offers a range of facilities including a library, ICT suite, music rooms, art studios, a sensory room, a gymnasium, and outdoor playing fields. Sports include football, cricket, netball, gymnastics, dance and rounders, and there are clubs for coding, drama and science. SEND provision is listed for speech, language and communication needs, and hearing impairment, and 73% of parents who responded strongly agreed that SEND children get the support they need. The school is a Muslim faith school and includes a chapel among its facilities. For families considering this school, the data paints a clear picture: it is academically high-performing, heavily oversubscribed, and well-regarded by parents. The main challenge is securing a place, given the high ratio of applications to places. It suits families who value strong academic outcomes and a faith-based environment, and who are prepared for a competitive admissions process.

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