Blackpool St Nicholas CofE Primary School, Blackpool

Ofsted's report card from its 19 May 2026 inspection grades Blackpool St Nicholas CofE Primary School on 7 areas: 7 strong standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Strong standard. "Across all year groups, pupils build a deep body of knowledge across all of the subjects that they study."

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders have created a calm and welcoming environment, which motivates pupils to come to school regularly and learn successfully."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of how well the expertly constructed curriculum is being delivered across the school."

Early years - Strong standard. "Leaders have developed the curriculum in the early years carefully so that children make a very positive start to their school journey."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders ensure that pupils' needs are identified swiftly and accurately."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders have a clear and ambitious vision for the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders prioritise pupils' personal development."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to build on their strong practices in inclusion and attendance to address some of the more persistent barriers to pupils' attendance and achievement".

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are a growing school on the southern most tip of Blackpool and have a hard earned reputation for a good sound education which not only develops children academically but socially, emotionally and spiritually."

Coming up: an open evening on Monday 9 November 2026 and an open evening on Friday 15 January 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 93% of Year 6 pupils at Blackpool St Nicholas CofE Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 86% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 72% and 70% in Blackpool and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (88% in reading, 90% in maths).

For September 2026 entry, 62 families put Blackpool St Nicholas CofE Primary School as their first choice and 118 named it as one of their preferences, for 60 places offered. That is slightly more first choices than places. 3 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Blackpool St Nicholas CofE Primary School are Our Lady of The Assumption Catholic Primary School, Blackpool (0.5 miles, 75% reading, 71% maths); Marton Primary Academy and Nursery (0.9 miles, Good, 69% reading, 67% maths); Hawes Side Academy (1.1 miles, Good, 49% reading, 43% maths); and Roseacre Primary Academy (1.2 miles, Good, 77% reading, 78% maths).

Blackpool St Nicholas CofE Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

12.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 1.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 48 pupils (11.5%) received SEN support and 8 (1.9%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Squires Gate Rail Station, about 1.5 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Nicholas' School (opposite), 40 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 105 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Blackpool (336).

Blackpool St Nicholas CofE Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Blackpool St Nicholas CofE Primary School are Highfield Leadership Academy (0.9 miles), St George's School A Church of England Academy (1.3 miles) and Armfield Academy (1.6 miles).