Knuzden St Oswald's Church of England Primary Academy, Blackburn

Ofsted's report card from its 20 January 2026 inspection grades Knuzden St Oswald's Church of England Primary Academy on 7 areas: 3 expected standard and 4 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders have high expectations of pupils' attendance."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders know pupils well and identify barriers to learning promptly."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school has an appropriate personal development programme that builds pupils' knowledge over time."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils have not achieved well enough over time in reading, writing and mathematics."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Teaching does not consistently enable pupils to learn the curriculum well."

Early years - Needs attention. "Many children in the early years do not learn to read and write as well as they could."

Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "At times, leaders are not clear enough about what needs to improve."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders and governors should focus closely on the impact of their actions to bring about the changes needed to improve teaching and pupils' achievement. • Leaders should help teachers to routinely identify and address gaps and misconceptions in pupils' knowledge. • Leaders should ensure that pupils receive the support that they need when they fall behind, so that gaps in their knowledge are addressed quickly. • Leaders should ensure that staff in the early years consistently help children to develop their knowledge and vocabulary across the early years curriculum".

In its own words: "There is also information about: our Vision & Values , British Values , Governance , our Staff and also our Trust Status. Please use the left hand menu to navigate to the page you require."

From the headteacher's welcome: "However, the best way to see this is to come and see us in action. We would be delighted to show you round our happy, caring and inclusive school and answer any questions you may have. We are very proud of our pupils and the success they achieve."

In 2025, 59% of Year 6 pupils at Knuzden St Oswald's Church of England Primary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 50% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Lancashire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (68% in reading, 46% in maths).

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

For September 2026 entry, 11 families put Knuzden St Oswald's Church of England Primary Academy as their first choice and 27 named it as one of their preferences, for 17 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Knuzden St Oswald's Church of England Primary Academy are Shadsworth Infant School (0.4 miles, Good); Intack Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 60% reading, 68% maths); St Antony's RC Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 83% reading, 77% maths); and Shadsworth Junior School (0.7 miles, Good, 69% reading, 76% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Knuzden St Oswald's Church of England Primary Academy.

Knuzden St Oswald's Church of England Primary Academy is one of 15 schools run by Cidari Education Limited, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 49% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

15 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Knuzden St Oswald's Church of England Primary Academy (as of April 2026): 93% would recommend the school, 93% say their child is happy there and 67% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they are kept well informed about progress (100%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (67%).

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

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Moss Lane (by), 70 metres away.

In 2024/25, Knuzden St Oswald's Church of England Primary Academy issued 4 suspensions, 2.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.