St Francis Catholic Primary School, Goosnargh, Preston

Ofsted's report card from its 6 January 2026 inspection grades St Francis Catholic Primary School, Goosnargh on 7 areas: 7 strong standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Strong standard. "Children achieve well by the end of the Reception Year, laying strong foundations for their future learning."

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Pupils enjoy coming to school."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders check on the quality of teaching and learning to refine and improve the curriculum."

Early years - Strong standard. "In the early years, leaders have set out a clearly defined curriculum that sets ambitious expectations for all children's learning."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders have created a positive culture of inclusion where difference is celebrated."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders have maintained and built upon the school's strengths in all areas."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The school's personal development programme is woven effectively throughout the curriculum from the early years through to Year 6."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders and those responsible for governance should sustain the effectiveness of their work in all areas. They should seek continued improvement, overcoming barriers and challenges, in order to drive a transformational impact for all pupils. This includes disadvantaged pupils, those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, those who are known (or previously known) to children's social care, and those who may face other barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing".

From the headteacher's welcome: "At St.Francis' we work together as co- creators with God, recognising and developing each other's unique gifts and personalities. We have so many wonderful things to tell you about but we welcome you to visit the school to see for yourself. 'St.Francis' is a caring community with a real buzz of excitement' (parent of Year 6 child)."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:45am and after-school care.

In 2025, 80% of Year 6 pupils at St Francis Catholic Primary School, Goosnargh reached the expected standard in reading and 80% 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 (83% in reading, 75% in maths).

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

For September 2026 entry, 19 families put St Francis Catholic Primary School, Goosnargh as their first choice and 46 named it as one of their preferences, for 15 places offered. That is 1.3 first choices for every place. 4 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to St Francis Catholic Primary School, Goosnargh are Goosnargh Oliverson's Church of England Primary School (1.3 miles, Good, 79% reading, 86% maths); Barnacre Road Primary School (1.8 miles, 59% reading, 68% maths); Longridge St Wilfrid's Roman Catholic Primary School (1.9 miles, Good, 67% reading, 77% maths); and Goosnargh Whitechapel Primary School (2 miles, Good, 79% reading, 93% maths).

St Francis Catholic Primary School, Goosnargh's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

46 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about St Francis Catholic Primary School, Goosnargh (as of April 2026): 98% would recommend the school, 98% 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 their child feels safe (96%).

6.7% 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, 13 pupils (12.5%) received SEN support and 3 (2.9%) 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 hearing impairment.

St Francis Catholic Primary School, Goosnargh had 7 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of St Francis Catholic Primary School, Goosnargh.

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Francis RCPS (by), 110 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 2 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Lancashire (109).

St Francis Catholic Primary School, Goosnargh recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.