SchoolScoresBamber Bridge St Aidan's CofE Primary School
Voluntary controlled school · Primary, ages 5 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Larch Grove, Bamber Bridge, Preston, PR5 6GX
01772 337321 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 25 March 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
16 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Preston (Lancashire) comparisons use the 52 of its 124 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 72 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Preston (Lancashire) | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 46th highest of 52 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 7% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 94% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 52nd highest of 52 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 3% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 75% | 95% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 50th highest of 52 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 7% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 90% | 84% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 11 parents who had raised a concern 41st highest of 47 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 11% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 64% | 79% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 47th highest of 52 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 8% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69%said yes | 88% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 14%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Preston (Lancashire) figures pool parents at the Preston (Lancashire) schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
20 pupils in this year group.
20% — 40 points below the Lancashire average, and 42 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 20% | 60% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 45% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 45% | 71% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 25% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 97 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 95 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Lancashire. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 18 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 14 |
| Of those, offered a place | 14 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 40 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.7 · 2026: 0.8
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Church of England school, but as a voluntary controlled school its admissions are set by the council, which usually doesn't prioritise by faith. Check the council's admissions criteria.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 10th highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 85% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 44.1% | 25.3%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 57th highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 39% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.5% | 3.0%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 21st highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 79% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 19.5% | 13.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 55th highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 49% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 9.3% | 16.0%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 111th lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 12% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.8% | 5.1%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 115th lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 8% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 22.9% | 12.3%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 124th lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 0% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 30.5 | 2.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 123rd lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 0% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 10.2% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 112th highest of 123 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 10% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 15.8 | 21.1 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 98th highest of 123 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 27% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.4 | 10.5 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 51st highest of 107 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 52% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 13.0% | 12.9%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- St Mary's and St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 52% met expected standard (KS2)
- Cuerden Church School, Bamber Bridge 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- Walton-le-Dale Community Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- Higher Walton CofE Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 2 needs attention · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Patrick's Roman Catholic Primary School, Walton-le-Dale 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2025 · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lostock Hall Community Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Walton-le-Dale, St Leonard's CofE Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Brindle 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2025 · 80% met expected standard (KS2)
- Brindle Gregson Lane Primary School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023, before conversion) · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Clayton Brook Primary School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 32% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Bamber Bridge St Aidan's CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 25 March 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Bamber Bridge St Aidan's CofE Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 20% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 42 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Bamber Bridge St Aidan's CofE Primary School?
69% of the 16 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Bamber Bridge St Aidan's CofE Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Bamber Bridge St Aidan's CofE Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 14 families put Bamber Bridge St Aidan's CofE Primary School as their first choice for 18 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 14 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 119380.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.