Calder Vale St John Church of England Primary School, Preston

Ofsted's report card from its 24 March 2026 inspection grades Calder Vale St John Church of England Primary School on 6 areas: 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils achieve well."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Most pupils attend school regularly."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have constructed a broad and balanced curriculum."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders are adept at identifying any special educational needs and/or disabilities that pupils may have."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors understand the strengths and areas for development of the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, benefit from the school's plans for their personal development."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders, including governors, should make sure their approaches to strategically evaluating the quality and impact of the school's practices and procedures are robust across all areas of their work, so that decisions to act are based on insightful and detailed information"; "Leaders should review and enhance the school's extra-curricular offer, so that pupils can explore a wider variety of potential interests and talents".

From the headteacher's welcome: "At Calder Vale St. John's our children have a strong sense of connection. They mix with children of all year groups and learn to relate to people of all ages. They make friends based on interests and maturity rather than being limited to those who are the same chronological age."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:45am, from £4.50 per session.

The school day runs from 8:55am to 3:30pm, 32.5 hours a week.

In 2024, 17% of Year 6 pupils at Calder Vale St John Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 33% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 73% in Lancashire and 76% and 74% across England.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 3 families put Calder Vale St John Church of England Primary School as their first choice, for 3 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Calder Vale St John Church of England Primary School are Scorton Church of England Primary School (2.6 miles, Good, 83% reading, 75% maths); St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Claughton-on-Brock (2.6 miles, Outstanding, 86% reading, 86% maths); St Mary and St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Garstang (2.8 miles); and Garstang Community Primary School (2.9 miles, Good, 81% reading, 91% maths).

17 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Calder Vale St John Church of England Primary School (as of April 2026): 100% would recommend the school and 94% say their child is happy there.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (100%); the weakest, that pupils behave well (82%).

0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 6 pupils (15.4%) received SEN support and 8 (20.5%) 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 autism.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Calder Vale St John Church of England Primary School.

1 bus stop is within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Johns School (outside), 40 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 0 crimes within a mile of the school. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Lancashire (109).

In 2024/25, Calder Vale St John Church of England Primary School issued 6 suspensions, 16.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.