Primary school

St Nicholas Church of England Primary School

  • Voluntary Aided School
  • ages 5–11
  • Mixed
  • Church of England
  • Lancashire
  • BB5 4DN
Ofsted report card · inspected Mar 2026

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Results · 2024/25

Ranked 6,099 of 15,057 primaries in England · top 41%

Top % in England, by year
2015/16: top 86%86%2016/17: top 78%2017/18: top 54%2018/19: top 75%2022/23: top 8%8% · 2022/232023/24: top 73%2024/25: top 41%No exams

Against North West

Expected standard, RWM68% · North West 63%Small cohort: 28 pupils in 2024/25 (under 30)
Higher standard, RWM4% · North West 6%Small cohort: 28 pupils in 2024/25 (under 30)
Reading score104 · North West 105Small cohort: 28 pupils in 2024/25 (under 30)
Maths score104 · North West 105Small cohort: 28 pupils in 2024/25 (under 30)
Show KS2 results by year

No exams 2019/20–21Not published 2021/22

Expected standard, RWM
2015/16: 35% · 26 pupils · North West 55%2016/17: 50% · 28 pupils · North West 64%2017/18: 66% · 29 pupils · North West 68%2018/19: 57% · 21 pupils · North West 67%2022/23: 82% · 22 pupils · North West 61%2023/24: 53% · 30 pupils · North West 63%2024/25: 68% · 28 pupils · North West 63%82%35%No exams
Higher standard, RWM
2015/16: 4% · 26 pupils · North West 3%2016/17: 4% · 28 pupils · North West 7%2017/18: 0% · 29 pupils · North West 8%2018/19: 5% · 21 pupils · North West 9%2022/23: 14% · 22 pupils · North West 6%2023/24: 3% · 30 pupils · North West 5%2024/25: 4% · 28 pupils · North West 6%14%0%No exams
Reading score
2015/16: 99 · 26 pupils · North West 1022016/17: 101 · 28 pupils · North West 1042017/18: 104 · 29 pupils · North West 1052018/19: 102 · 21 pupils · North West 1042022/23: 105 · 22 pupils · North West 1052023/24: 103 · 30 pupils · North West 1052024/25: 104 · 28 pupils · North West 10510599No exams
Maths score
2015/16: 100 · 26 pupils · North West 1032016/17: 101 · 28 pupils · North West 1042017/18: 103 · 29 pupils · North West 1052018/19: 103 · 21 pupils · North West 1052022/23: 107 · 22 pupils · North West 1042023/24: 102 · 30 pupils · North West 1042024/25: 104 · 28 pupils · North West 105107100No exams

Getting in · 2026

First-choice families who got in100.0%
21 of 21 who put it first2014 · 96.0%2026 · 100.0%
By preference
ChoiceAppliedOffered
1st2121
2nd182
3rd130

Last distance offered: London only

Inspections · 2008–2026

  • InclusionExpected
  • AchievementExpected
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected
  • Attendance and behaviourExpected
  • Leadership and governanceExpected
  • Early yearsExpected
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected
  • SafeguardingMet
  1. 2008Good
  2. 2012Good
  3. 2015Requires improvement
  4. 2017Good
  5. 2022Remains Good
  6. 2026Lowest Expected

Pupils · 2024/25

On roll · Jan 2026187
Free school meals (past 6 years)36.1%
First language not English16.2%
SEN support23.6%
EHC plan4.2%
Absence (sessions missed)5.4%
Persistently absent pupils12.6%

Girls 45%Boys 55%

89% full · 210 places

Parent View

As at 6 Apr 2026 · 27 responses (14.1% of pupils)

  • My child is happy at this school77.8% agree
  • My child feels safe at this school81.5% agree
  • The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved77.8% agree
  • Has your child been bullied at this school?22.2% yes
  • When the bullying took place the school dealt with it quickly and effectively · asked only of the 22.2% who said Yes above33.3% agree
  • Does your child have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities?18.5% yes
  • The school gives them the support they need to succeed · asked only of the 18.5% who said Yes above40% agree
  • The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know77.8% agree
  • When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly · 11.1% had no concerns to raise75% agree
  • When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart81.5% agree
  • The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well81.5% agree
  • Would you recommend this school to another parent?81.5% yes
  • Your overall view of the school77.8% positive

Workforce · 2025/26

Pupils per teacher21.5
Pupils per adult9.0
  • Classroom teachers 6.7
  • Leadership 2
  • Teaching assistants 11.4
  • Other support 2.7

Teachers 8.7 FTE · Whole workforce 22.8 · 30 people

Financials · 2025/26

Income per pupil£8,515
Spend per pupil£8,613
Staff spend per pupil£6,669
Reserve per pupil£460
  • +£86,032revenue reserve
  • −£18,303in-year balance

Grants £8,050 · self-generated £465 · premises £448 per pupil