Medlar-with-Wesham Church of England Primary School, Preston

Ofsted's report card from its 3 February 2026 inspection grades Medlar-with-Wesham Church of England Primary School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard, 4 expected standard and 2 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders have established a very well-considered personal development programme that prepares pupils very effectively for life in modern Britain."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders set high expectations for regular attendance."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children make a positive start to their education."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have created an inclusive culture where pupils with different needs are welcomed and valued."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have a secure understanding of the school's context and have identified clear priorities for improvement."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Some pupils, particularly older pupils, have gaps in their learning."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Teachers' checks on some pupils' learning do not routinely identify gaps in their knowledge well."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should sharpen their assessment systems so that staff can make precise changes to their curriculum delivery that help pupils build secure knowledge over time"; "Leaders should ensure that teachers address gaps in pupils' handwriting and spelling promptly and effectively".

From the headteacher's welcome: "'We are a loving, caring, distinctively Christian family, providing education in a safe and happy environment, where every individual is valued as a child of God.' Welcome to our school family, where children are on a journey, striving to be curious, resilient and confident learners with our Gospel Values at the heart of all our actions."

The school runs a breakfast club from 8:25am and after-school care.

In 2025, 81% of Year 6 pupils at Medlar-with-Wesham Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 78% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Lancashire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 58% in reading and 58% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 16 families put Medlar-with-Wesham Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 26 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 Medlar-with-Wesham Church of England Primary School are St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Medlar-with-Wesham (0.3 miles); Kirkham and Wesham Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 70% reading, 70% maths); The Willows Catholic Primary School, Kirkham (0.5 miles); and Kirkham St Michael's Church of England Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 70% reading, 83% maths).

Medlar-with-Wesham Church of England Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 2 of them.

25 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Medlar-with-Wesham Church of England Primary School (as of April 2026): 96% would recommend the school, 96% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that pupils behave well (92%).

9.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (77%) and Mixed (7%).

In 2026, 13 pupils (10.5%) received SEN support and 11 (8.9%) 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.

Medlar-with-Wesham Church of England Primary School had 10 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Kirkham & Wesham Rail Station, about 360 metres away (roughly a 5-minute walk).

13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Wyre Street (by), 90 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 69 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Lancashire (109).

In 2024/25, Medlar-with-Wesham Church of England Primary School issued 11 suspensions, 8.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.