SchoolScoresThe Olive School, Preston
Free school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Muslim
Part of STAR ACADEMIES
Vicarage Lane, Preston, PR2 8DW
01772 926100 · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 26 June 2019.
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 | Outstanding |
| Outcomes for pupils | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Early years | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 4 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
88 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 Joint 25th highest of 52 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 47% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 94% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 16th highest of 52 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 68% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 95% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 8th highest of 52 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 88% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 99% | 90% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 22 parents whose child had been bullied 14th highest of 33 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 60% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 59% | 52% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 50 parents who had raised a concern 30th highest of 47 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 30% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 76% | 79% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 15 parents of children with SEND 3rd highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 79% of 2,087 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 75% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 25th highest of 52 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 57% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93%said yes | 88% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 21%). 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
60 pupils in this year group.
88% — 28 points above the Lancashire average, and 26 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 88% | 60% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 30% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 93% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 95% | 71% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 95% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 111 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 110 | 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 2.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 60 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 135 |
| Of those, offered a place | 60 (44%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 242 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.8 · 2025: 1.7 · 2026: 2.3
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 Muslim 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 Joint 80th highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 30% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.3% | 25.3%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 22nd highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 69% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.0% | 3.0%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 100th highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 10% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 7.9% | 13.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 100% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 97.1% | 16.0%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 61st lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 65% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.5% | 5.1%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 63rd lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 57% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 10.6% | 12.3%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 51st lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 57% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.7 | 2.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 40th lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 67% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.2% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 26th highest of 123 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 88% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 24.3 | 21.1 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 89th highest of 123 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 33% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.8 | 10.5 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 57th highest of 107 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 43% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 10.6% | 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
- Kennington Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Pius X Preparatory School 0.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Eldon Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2024) · 26% met expected standard (KS2)
- Queen's Drive Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 74% met expected standard (KS2)
- Fulwood and Cadley Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: safeguarding not met; 3 needs attention, 4 urgent improvement · 41% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Clare's Catholic Primary School, Preston 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 strong, 3 expected · 74% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, Preston 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 79% met expected standard (KS2)
- Deepdale Community Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Holme Slack Community Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 2 needs attention · 52% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sherwood Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 86% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Olive School, Preston's Ofsted rating?
The Olive School, Preston was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 26 June 2019. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 4 December 2024, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did The Olive School, Preston do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 88% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 26 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend The Olive School, Preston?
93% of the 88 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend The Olive School, Preston to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Olive School, Preston oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 135 families put The Olive School, Preston as their first choice for 60 places: about 2.5 first-choice applications for every place. 60 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 142866.
- 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.