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OpenPrimaryOfsted: School remains GoodURN 119665

St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall

Voluntary aided school · Rossendale · BB4 8SU

Ages 5–11 · 211 pupils · Lancashire

School website

Ofsted

School remains Good

KS2 expected (RWM)

73%

Overall absence

4.4%

Admissions demand

1.07 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

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Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2023-03-07

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)73%
Higher standard (RWM)7%
Avg scaled score — reading
104.0
Avg scaled score — maths
104.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
107.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence4.4%
Persistent absence (10%+)9.2%
Unauthorised0.7%
Authorised absence
3.7%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.1%
Enrolments in measure
185

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for primary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.07 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

32

Places offered

30

1st-preference offers

30

Total preferences (any rank)
92
Preferred offers (top 3)
30
Applications from outside LA
1
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill100%

211 pupils · 210 places

Pupils on roll
211
Boys / girls
99 / 112
School capacity
210
Capacity fill
211 / 210 (100%)
Free school meals
11.4%
FSM pupils
24
Gender
Mixed
School type
Voluntary aided school

Age range

Ages 5–11

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Religious character
Roman Catholic
Diocese
Diocese of Salford
Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Voluntary aided school
Headteacher
Mrs Jessica Bell-Shaw

Location

Address
Unity Way, Rawtenstall
Postcode
BB4 8SU
Town
Rossendale
County
Lancashire
Local authority
Lancashire
District
Rossendale
Constituency
Rossendale and Darwen
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed voluntary aided school (primary), Ages 5–11, in Rossendale, Lancashire, 211 pupils on roll. Free school meals: 11.4%. Religious character: Roman Catholic. Diocese: Diocese of Salford.

Open schools in Rossendale
24
Primary schools in Rossendale
13
Academies among open schools in Rossendale
13% (3)
Open schools in BB4
27
Primary in BB4
16
Open schools in Lancashire LA
709
Primary in Lancashire LA
483

Nearby primary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in RossendaleNear BB4

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Jessica Bell-Shaw
Telephone
01706216190
Website
www.stjamesthelessschool.co.uk

Official links