SchoolScoresSt Mary's Catholic Primary School, Lea Town
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of MATER ECCLESIAE CATHOLIC MULTI-ACADEMY TRUST
Darkinson Lane, Lea Town, Preston, PR4 0RJ
01772 729881 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 2 June 2015. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 3 December 2024: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
54 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 32nd highest of 52 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 41% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 94% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 34th highest of 52 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 39% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 95% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 34th highest of 52 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 41% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 90% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 19 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 24th highest of 33 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 20% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 42% | 52% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 42 parents who had raised a concern Joint 28th highest of 47 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 36% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 79% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 40th highest of 52 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 21% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81%said yes | 88% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 50%). 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
17 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 119634), before it changed to its current form.
59% — about the same as the Lancashire average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 59% | 60% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 6% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 71% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 65% | 71% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 65% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 101 | 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 about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 15 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 23 |
| Of those, offered a place | 13 (57%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 51 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.5
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 Roman 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 58th highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 47% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 20.4% | 25.3%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 27th highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 63% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.7% | 3.0%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support Joint 6th highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 96% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 27.8% | 13.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 84th highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 21% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.8% | 16.0%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 68th lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 60% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.7% | 5.1%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 52nd lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 71% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 8.4% | 12.3%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 74th lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 38% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.9 | 2.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 92nd lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 21% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.9% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher | Not published | 21.1 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) | Not published | 10.5 | 10.6 |
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.
Nearby primary schools
- Lea Neeld's Endowed CofE Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Bernard's Catholic Primary School, Preston 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 expected, 3 needs attention · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lea Community Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ashton Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 expected, 3 needs attention · 45% met expected standard (KS2)
- Cottam Primary School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 45% met expected standard (KS2)
- Newton Bluecoat CofE Primary School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022 · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Ingol, Preston 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023, before conversion) · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ingol Community Primary School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- Pool House Community Primary School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2022 · 79% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ashton-on-Ribble St Andrew's CofE Primary School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Lea Town's Ofsted rating?
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Lea Town was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 2 June 2015. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 3 December 2024, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Lea Town do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 59% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 3 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Lea Town?
81% of the 54 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Lea Town to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Lea Town oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 23 families put St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Lea Town as their first choice for 15 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 13 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 151968.
- 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.