Lowercroft Primary School, Bury
Lowercroft Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Bury. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in January 2020. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in January 2025 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 10th-highest of the 37 schools in Bury with published results, and 3,885th of 14,452 across England. It was 95% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Above England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2020)
- Demand
- Oversubscribed
- Attendance
- Better than England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Bury (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Lowercroft Primary School in detail
Lowercroft Primary School in its own words
From the headteacher's welcome: "At Lowercroft, we believe that every child is special and unique. Our aim is to provide a stimulating and nurturing environment where a love of learning is at the heart of everything we do."
Headteacher's welcome (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 91% of Year 6 pupils at Lowercroft Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 77% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 77% in Bury and 77% and 75% across England.
Results rose from 71% in reading and 74% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Lowercroft Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 25 families put Lowercroft Primary School as their first choice and 82 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 1 family who put it first was not offered a place there.
Admissions history and your chances at Lowercroft Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Lowercroft Primary School are Greenhill Primary School (0.3 miles, 94% reading, 89% maths); Chantlers Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 100% reading, 97% maths); St Stephen's Church of England Primary School (0.7 miles, 73% reading, 80% maths); and Christ Church Ainsworth Church of England Primary School (0.8 miles).
Lowercroft Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 3 schools.
Greenhill Primary SchoolChantlers Primary SchoolSt Stephen's Church of England Primary SchoolChrist Church Ainsworth Church of England Primary School
What parents say
70 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Lowercroft Primary School (as of September 2025): 57% would recommend the school, 77% say their child is happy there and 54% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (94%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (54%).
Who goes there
5.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 6.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (84%) and Mixed (7%).
In 2026, 48 pupils (23.5%) received SEN support and 11 (5.4%) 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.
Getting there
The nearest tram or metro stop is Bury Bolton Street (East Lancashire Railway), about 1.7 miles away in a straight line.
13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Ashington Drive (opposite), 100 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Lowercroft Primary School stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
Suspensions and exclusions
Lowercroft Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to Lowercroft Primary School are The Elton High School (0.8 miles); St Gabriel's RC High School, a Voluntary Academy (1.4 miles); and Tottington High School (1.5 miles).
The Elton High SchoolSt Gabriel's RC High School, a Voluntary AcademyTottington High School
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Our estimate from how close the nearest similar schools are and how oversubscribed the council's schools are. It is not a published boundary.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from January 2020, 6 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Latest (ungraded) inspection: Standards have been maintained.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's January 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Lowercroft creates a welcoming community where children thrive academically and personally. The school excels at teaching reading and supporting all learners, including those with additional needs. Enrichment activities like forest learning, visits and community involvement help develop well-rounded, respectful young people prepared for life beyond primary school.
Key Strengths
- Strong focus on reading expertise with well-trained staff delivering phonics effectively, so most pupils are confident readers by the end of key stage 1 -
- Broad, well-balanced curriculum where pupils typically achieve well and enjoy learning -
- Happy, harmonious school community where pupils behave well and live up to high expectations -
- Excellent support for pupils with SEND who achieve well from their starting points -
- High attendance levels with good support for families to overcome barriers
Areas for Improvement
- Teaching methods for sharing new information are not always clear enough, causing some pupils to develop misconceptions -
- Approach to help pupils remember knowledge over time is still in early stages, so pupils struggle to recall past learning and miss opportunities to deepen understanding -
- Communication with parents about SEND support needs to be improved so they better understand the school's work
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with staff firmly committed to creating an open and positive culture that puts pupils' interests first.
Extracurricular Activities
Crochet and pottery club, school choir, sporting clubs and teams, forest area outdoor learning, visits to the seaside, ski slope, pantomime, community work and fundraising for good causes
Lowercroft Primary School has successfully maintained its good standards with an ambitious curriculum that helps pupils achieve well across a wide range of subjects. The school creates a happy, harmonious community where pupils are proud to embody the school values.
At a Glance
5.4%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
70 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 71% to 91% (2024 to 2025). Maths has remained stable at around 77% (2024 to 2025). Writing has improved from 66% to 74% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
29.1
Avg class size
24.7
Infant (KS1)
32.5
KS2
7
Total classes
3 classes with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Latest from Lowercroft Primary School
From Lowercroft Primary School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Keep up with Lowercroft Primary School
Term dates
Lowercroft Primary School is a community school, so its term dates are set by Bury. Training (INSET) days, when pupils are not in school, vary by school: check the school's own calendar.
2026 to 2027
- Autumn term: Tuesday 1 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026)
- Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027)
- Summer term: Monday 12 April to Wednesday 21 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027)
2027 to 2028
- Autumn term: Wednesday 1 September to Friday 17 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027)
- Spring term: Tuesday 4 January to Friday 31 March 2028 (half term Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2028)
- Summer term: Tuesday 18 April to Friday 21 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028)
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Lowercroft Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Lowercroft Primary School is in Bury; for families living there:
Apply to Bury for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 5
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 3
- Children hurt
- 2
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 5 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 2 slight.
2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise.
1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Bury is 10 (the median across 92 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Lowercroft Primary School
Will you get a place at Lowercroft Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Lowercroft Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Lowercroft Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Lowercroft Primary School.
- Bury publishes last distance offered figures, but none for Lowercroft Primary School that we hold, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Lowercroft Primary School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Bury got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
95%
Near capacity
227 pupils
240 places
13 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Bury
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Bury
Across Bury council
Places available
2,275
Applications
1,901
Got 1st preference
91.4%
Got preferred school
98.1%
All primary applications across Bury council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Oversubscribed
Inspection History(6)
Ungraded inspection: Standards have been maintained.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
48
SEN Support
11
EHC Plans
28.9%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
204
Total Pupils
111
Boys
93
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
10
Teachers
20.4:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£52,032
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,091
Per pupil
£1252k
Total funding
£23k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
3.5%
Overall absence
4.9%
Persistent absence
205
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Questions parents ask about Lowercroft Primary School
What are SATs results like at Lowercroft Primary School?
Of the pupils at Lowercroft Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 91% reached the expected standard in reading and 77% did so in maths.
What is Lowercroft Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Lowercroft Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in January 2025, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in January 2020, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Lowercroft Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Lowercroft Primary School is oversubscribed, Bury allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Lowercroft Primary School?
Lowercroft Primary School was close to full in 2025, at 95% of its capacity.
How big are the classes at Lowercroft Primary School?
Classes at Lowercroft Primary School average 29.1 pupils (2025/26). 3 classes have more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to Lowercroft Primary School?
Lowercroft Primary School has around 204 pupils on roll. 5% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Lowercroft Primary School?
3.5% of sessions were missed at Lowercroft Primary School in 2024/25. 4.9% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Lowercroft Primary School?
Apply through Bury's coordinated admissions process, naming Lowercroft Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
What are Lowercroft Primary School's term dates?
Lowercroft Primary School is a community school, so its term dates are set by Bury. In 2026 to 2027: Autumn term: Tuesday 1 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026); Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027); Summer term: Monday 12 April to Wednesday 21 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027). In 2027 to 2028: Autumn term: Wednesday 1 September to Friday 17 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027); Spring term: Tuesday 4 January to Friday 31 March 2028 (half term Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2028); Summer term: Tuesday 18 April to Friday 21 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028).
How many road collisions happen near Lowercroft Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 5 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 2 slight. 2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise. 1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Bury is 10 (the median across 92 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Lowercroft Primary School?
Lowercroft Primary School is at Ashington Drive, Bury, Lancashire, BL8 2TS.
Sources: Bury term dates; Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)