Poulton-le-Sands Church of England Primary School, Morecambe

Ofsted's report card from its 17 March 2026 inspection grades Poulton-le-Sands Church of England Primary School on 7 areas: 5 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.

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders, including governors, prioritise pupils' attendance."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children get off to a positive start to their education in Reception."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed robust transition processes for when pupils join the school in the early years or at other times."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "There have been significant changes to the leadership of the school since the last inspection, including changes to the headteacher and deputy headteacher."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have adopted a clear personal development curriculum that builds on pupils' broader knowledge and prepares them well for life beyond school."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils' achievement is variable."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Leaders have a detailed understanding of the quality of education the school provides."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure assessment and learning activities work together to identify and close gaps in pupils' foundational knowledge so that pupils achieve well across the curriculum"; "Leaders should ensure teachers have the expertise to deliver the curriculum effectively so that teaching and learning activities focus sharply on pupils securing the intended knowledge"; "Leaders should strengthen the impact of the programme to support pupils' personal development so that pupils develop a deeper understanding of fundamental British values".

In 2025, 57% of Year 6 pupils at Poulton-le-Sands Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 43% 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 (59% in reading, 45% in maths).

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

For September 2026 entry, 16 families put Poulton-le-Sands Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 51 named it as one of their preferences, for 18 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 Poulton-le-Sands Church of England Primary School are Morecambe Bay Community Primary School (0.2 miles, Good, 56% reading, 39% maths); St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Morecambe (0.2 miles, Requires improvement, 57% reading, 65% maths); Lancaster Road Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 57% reading, 67% maths); and Great Wood Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 77% reading, 85% maths).

Poulton-le-Sands Church of England Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

43 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Poulton-le-Sands Church of England Primary School (as of April 2026): 95% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (100%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

39.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 10.3% 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 Black (7%).

In 2026, 33 pupils (20%) received SEN support and 12 (7.3%) 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.

Poulton-le-Sands Church of England Primary School had 10 teachers in 2026, one for every 16 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Morecambe Rail Station, about 860 metres away (roughly a 11-minute walk).

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Health Centre (opposite), 130 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Poulton-le-Sands Church of England Primary School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 268 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and public order offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Lancashire (109), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Poulton-le-Sands Church of England Primary School issued 4 suspensions, 2.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Poulton-le-Sands Church of England Primary School are Morecambe Bay Academy (0.3 miles) and Bay Leadership Academy (1.3 miles).