SchoolScoresSt Matthew's CofE Primary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class
Part of CIDARI EDUCATION LIMITED
New Hall Lane, Preston, PR1 5XB
01772 794482 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 14 January 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 | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
57 pupils in this year group.
42% — 18 points below the Lancashire average, and 20 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 42% | 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 | 44% | 71% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 67% | 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. | 102 | 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 one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 44 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 43 |
| Of those, offered a place | 43 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 111 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.0
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. 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 33rd highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 64% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 28.6% | 25.3%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 26th highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 64% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.7% | 3.0%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 38th highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 56% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.1% | 13.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 96% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 67.5% | 16.0%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 109th lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 14% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.7% | 5.1%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 114th lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 9% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 22.4% | 12.3%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 55th lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 54% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.9 | 2.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 64th lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 44% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.9% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 41st highest of 123 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 76% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.9 | 21.1 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 91st highest of 123 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 32% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.7 | 10.5 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 79th highest of 107 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 25% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 6.0% | 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 Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Preston 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 78% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ribbleton Avenue Infant School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024)
- Ribbleton Avenue Methodist Junior School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 1 needs attention · 49% met expected standard (KS2)
- Fishwick Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, Preston 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 4 expected, 3 needs attention · 47% met expected standard (KS2)
- Deepdale Community Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, Preston 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 79% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, Preston 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Ignatius' Catholic Primary School, Preston 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022, before conversion) · 54% met expected standard (KS2)
- Frenchwood Community Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 expected, 4 needs attention · 39% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Matthew's CofE Primary Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 14 January 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did St Matthew's CofE Primary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 42% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 20 points below the England average of 62%.
Is St Matthew's CofE Primary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 43 families put St Matthew's CofE Primary Academy as their first choice for 44 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 43 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 148904.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 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.