SchoolScoresSt Bernard's Catholic Primary School, Preston
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Catholic · Nursery class
Part of MATER ECCLESIAE CATHOLIC MULTI-ACADEMY TRUST
Victoria Park Avenue, Lea, Preston, PR2 1RP
01772 728153 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 3 February 2026 , published 21 April 2026.
In short: 4 expected, 3 needs attention, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Early yearsNursery and reception classes. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
55 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
Preston (Lancashire) comparisons use the 20 of its 124 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 104 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 9th highest of 20 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 43% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 91% | 90% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 14th highest of 20 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 27% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 91% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 11th highest of 20 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 44% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 86% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 12 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 58% of 329 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 56% | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 49 parents who had raised a concern 11th highest of 20 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 42% of 1,062 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80% | 79% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 13 parents of children with SEND 5th highest of 8 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 58% of 552 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 77% | 77% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 9th highest of 20 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 48% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 91%said yes | 88% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 24%). 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. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
31 pupils in this year group.
58% — 2 points below the Lancashire average, and 4 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 58% | 60% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 68% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 81% | 71% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 87% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 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 | 28 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 17 |
| Of those, offered a place | 17 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 51 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.6
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 Catholic school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 65th highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 42% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 18.1% | 25.3%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 112th highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 7% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.8% | 3.0%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 41st highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 55% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.0% | 13.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 49th highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 54% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.5% | 16.0%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 49th lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 75% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.2% | 5.1%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 33rd lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 83% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.4% | 12.3%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 98th lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 14% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 5.6 | 2.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 89th lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 23% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.7% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 59th highest of 123 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 58% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 21.3 | 21.1 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 87th highest of 123 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 35% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.9 | 10.5 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 16th highest of 107 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 87% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 27.7% | 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
- Lea Community Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ashton Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 expected, 3 needs attention · 45% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lea Neeld's Endowed CofE Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Lea Town 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015, before conversion), confirmed 2024 · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- Cottam Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 45% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ashton-on-Ribble St Andrew's CofE Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ingol Community Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Ingol, Preston 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023, before conversion) · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
- Penwortham Primary School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 expected, 3 needs attention · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Preston 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023, before conversion) · 47% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Bernard's Catholic Primary School, Preston's Ofsted rating?
St Bernard's Catholic Primary School, Preston was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 3 February 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 4 expected, 3 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
How did St Bernard's Catholic Primary School, Preston do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 58% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 4 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Bernard's Catholic Primary School, Preston?
91% of the 55 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend St Bernard's Catholic Primary School, Preston to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Bernard's Catholic Primary School, Preston oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 17 families put St Bernard's Catholic Primary School, Preston as their first choice for 28 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 17 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 149312.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
- 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.