Melling St Wilfrid Church of England Primary School, Carnforth

Ofsted's report card from its 6 May 2026 inspection grades Melling St Wilfrid Church of England Primary School on 7 areas: 4 expected standard and 3 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 prioritise attendance."

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

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders identify pupils' needs accurately and promptly, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils develop a clear sense of right and wrong."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Over time, some pupils have not reached the expected standard in national curriculum tests, such as in reading."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Teachers do not consistently choose activities that help pupils to build their knowledge over time."

Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "Leaders do not have an accurate picture of the school's performance."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should make sure that teachers choose appropriate activities that help pupils to remember and apply their knowledge across the curriculum"; "Leaders should make sure that teachers identify and address gaps and errors in pupils' handwriting, spelling and grammar knowledge"; "Governors should make sure that they hold leaders to account with greater rigour so that leaders identify and address the school's most significant weaknesses".

In its own words: "Melling St Wilfrid CE Primary School is an Aided Church of England Primary School which offers primary education for all children. The school premises range from the original late nineteenth century structure that now houses our Early Years Foundation stage and KS1 class, through the purpose built hall into our large, light and airy Key Stage 2 classroom."

In 2025, 50% of Year 6 pupils at Melling St Wilfrid Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 83% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Lancashire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 57% in reading and 43% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 5 families put Melling St Wilfrid Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 14 named it as one of their preferences, for 5 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 Melling St Wilfrid Church of England Primary School are Arkholme Church of England Primary School (1.3 miles, Good, 92% reading, 58% maths); Hornby St Margaret's Church of England Primary School (1.9 miles, Requires improvement, 64% reading, 55% maths); Wray with Botton Endowed Primary School (2.3 miles, Good, 80% reading, 70% maths); and Bentham Community Primary School (3.8 miles, Good, 86% reading, 62% maths).

Melling St Wilfrid Church of England Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

0% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

Melling St Wilfrid Church of England Primary School had 5 teachers in 2026, one for every 5 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Wennington Rail Station, about 1.2 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Wilfrid CEPS (adjacent), 30 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 1 crime within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Lancashire (109).

Melling St Wilfrid Church of England Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.