Pilling St John's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Preston

Ofsted's report card from its 6 May 2026 inspection grades Pilling St John's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "By the end of Year 6, pupils achieve well in reading, writing and mathematics."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders have established effective systems that quickly identify attendance concerns."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a curriculum that is ambitious for all pupils."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders and staff have designed an effective curriculum in the early years that carefully builds up children's knowledge and skills."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have any additional needs quickly identified."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Since the last inspection, the school's leadership has been through periods of change."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, benefit from a carefully considered approach to personal development and wellbeing."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that children in the early years develop a detailed understanding across the required areas of learning and development, resulting in them being exceptionally well prepared for Year 1"; "Leaders should ensure that pupils develop a secure and detailed knowledge across the PSHE curriculum"; "Leaders should ensure that pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, those with SEND and those known to social care consistently achieve well, develop detailed knowledge and skills, and produce high-quality work across the curriculum. Where applicable, this should typically lead to above-average results in national tests over time".

In its own words: "Pilling St John’s (PSJ) is a CofE Primary School School and is Voluntary Aided, belonging to the Diocese of Blackburn. It is closely linked with St. John the Baptist Church, Pilling. The school has strong links with Pilling St John the Baptist Church. Church Clergy and members are regular visitors in school and contribute to school life."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Here you can get a snapshot of who we are and what we do! At Pilling St John’s CE Primary School and Nursery, we value the contribution each child brings, and we encourage them to develop as an individual within a strong Christian community."

In 2025, 100% of Year 6 pupils at Pilling St John's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 93% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Lancashire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 73% in reading and 82% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 10 families put Pilling St John's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School as their first choice and 24 named it as one of their preferences, for 11 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 Pilling St John's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School are St William's Catholic Primary School, Pilling (0.9 miles, 57% reading, 43% maths); Carter's Charity Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Preesall (1.9 miles, Requires improvement, 68% reading, 57% maths); Preesall Fleetwood's Charity Church of England Primary School (2.4 miles, Good, 56% reading, 67% maths); and Stalmine Primary School (2.8 miles, Good, 69% reading, 56% maths).

Pilling St John's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

9.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 7 pupils (7.5%) received SEN support and 4 (4.3%) 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.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Pilling St John's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Golden Ball (opposite), 60 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 8 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences and vehicle crime. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Lancashire (109).

Pilling St John's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.