St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Preston, Preston

Ofsted's report card from its 27 January 2026 inspection grades St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Preston on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. 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. "Pupils' personal development is a key priority at the school."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, typically achieve well compared with other pupils nationally."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Most pupils attend school regularly and arrive punctually."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "The curriculum is ambitious and well thought out."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders have a secure understanding of the early years curriculum and how it underpins later learning."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders identify pupils' individual needs accurately and promptly."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders know their school and the community it serves well."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should ensure that teachers identify and address errors in pupils' letter formation so that pupils can develop greater fluency in their written work. • Leaders should ensure that temporary part‑time attendance arrangements have clear end points and are reviewed regularly with parents and carers so that pupils do not miss important learning".

From the headteacher's welcome: "My name is Mrs. Monaghan and I have the privilege of being the Headteacher at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School. We are uniquely different as a Catholic school. Prayer, worship, Gospel values and the celebration of Mass as well as preparation to receive the Sacraments are central to what makes us a Catholic school."

In 2025, 80% of Year 6 pupils at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Preston reached the expected standard in reading and 82% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Lancashire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 59% in reading and 63% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 33 families put St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Preston as their first choice and 117 named it as one of their preferences, for 35 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 St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Preston are St Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy (0.1 miles, 68% reading, 67% maths); Ribbleton Avenue Infant School (0.3 miles, Outstanding); Ribbleton Avenue Methodist Junior School (0.3 miles, Good, 70% reading, 58% maths); and Fishwick Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 67% reading, 60% maths).

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Preston's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Preston is one of 17 schools run by Mater Ecclesiae Catholic Multi-Academy Trust, an academy trust.

53 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Preston (as of April 2026): 96% would recommend the school, 94% say their child is happy there and 57% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (96%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (57%).

46.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (34%), Asian (25%) and Black (11%).

In 2026, 26 pupils (7.5%) received SEN support and 6 (1.7%) 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.

The nearest railway station is Preston Rail Station, about 1.3 miles away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Skeffington Road (opposite), 220 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Preston stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 702 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Lancashire (109), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Preston issued 20 suspensions, 5.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Preston are Preston Muslim Girls High School (0.4 miles); Eden Boys' School, Preston (0.5 miles); Moor Park High School (0.7 miles); and Christ The King Catholic High School (1.1 miles).