SchoolScoresThe Willows Catholic Primary School, Kirkham
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of THE BLESSED EDWARD BAMBER CATHOLIC MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Victoria Road, Kirkham, Preston, PR4 2BT
01772 684371 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 1 December 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 | 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 12 January 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Outstanding.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
30 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 119626), before it changed to its current form.
77% — 17 points above the Lancashire average, and 15 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 77% | 60% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 10% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 87% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 83% | 71% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 87% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 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 | 31 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 39 |
| Of those, offered a place | 30 (77%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 107 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.7 · 2025: 1.3 · 2026: 1.3
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 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 109th highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 9% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 7.1% | 25.3%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 110th highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 9% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.9% | 3.0%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 94th highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 10% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 8.1% | 13.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 75th highest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 30% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.3% | 16.0%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 6th lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 98% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.0% | 5.1%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 97% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 2.8% | 12.3%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 66th lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 44% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.4 | 2.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 67th lowest of 124 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 41% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.0% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 37th highest of 123 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 78% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 23.1 | 21.1 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 14th highest of 123 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 91% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 13.9 | 10.5 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 85th highest of 107 state primary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 0% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 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
- Kirkham and Wesham Primary School 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- Medlar-with-Wesham CofE Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 4 expected, 2 needs attention · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Kirkham St Michael's CofE Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Medlar-with-Wesham 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024, before conversion) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ribby with Wrea Endowed CofE Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 79% met expected standard (KS2)
- Strike Lane Primary School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022, before conversion) · 90% met expected standard (KS2)
- Freckleton CofE Primary School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022 · 92% met expected standard (KS2)
- Treales CofE Primary School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 expected, 4 needs attention · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Warton 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 82% met expected standard (KS2)
- Newton Bluecoat CofE Primary School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022 · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Willows Catholic Primary School, Kirkham's Ofsted rating?
The Willows Catholic Primary School, Kirkham was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 1 December 2015. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 12 January 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Outstanding.
How did The Willows Catholic Primary School, Kirkham do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 77% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 15 points above the England average of 62%.
Is The Willows Catholic Primary School, Kirkham oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 39 families put The Willows Catholic Primary School, Kirkham as their first choice for 31 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 30 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 151086.
- 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.