St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Stacksteads, Bacup, Bacup

Ofsted's report card from its 28 April 2026 inspection grades St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Stacksteads, Bacup on 7 areas: 2 expected standard and 5 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have established a school where everyone is welcome and included."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders prioritise the personal development and wellbeing of all pupils."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils do not achieve as well as they should."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Pupils' attendance rates remain low."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "In some year groups, the curriculum is not delivered as well as it should be."

Early years - Needs attention. "Leaders have designed an ambitious programme of learning for children in the Nursery and Reception classes."

Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "Leaders, including governors, understand the school and its pupils well."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should develop the expertise of staff in early years to deliver the curriculum with a particular focus on early reading and writing so that children move into Year 1 with secure foundations for future success"; "Leaders should ensure that the curriculum is taught consistently well so that pupils learn all that they should from the start of their education and do not have to catch up as they get older"; "Leaders should ensure that teachers identify and remedy weaknesses in pupils' writing knowledge, so that they develop fluency and can write accurately across the curriculum"; "Leaders should continue to build on their strategies to promote regular attendance so that absence levels reduce over time"; "Leaders, including governors, should improve their oversight of the curriculum and the quality of teaching, allowing them to take timely action to address weaknesses".

From the headteacher's welcome: "A very big welcome to St Joseph's Primary School. St Joseph's is a thriving Catholic primary school in Stacksteads, close to the town of Bacup in the Rossendale Valley. We are a Voluntary Aided school, welcoming children from 3 to 11 years of age, regardless of their faith or cultural background."

The school runs a breakfast club from 8:00am and after-school care.

In 2025, 50% of Year 6 pupils at St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Stacksteads, Bacup reached the expected standard in reading and 56% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Lancashire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 52% 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, 9 families put St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Stacksteads, Bacup as their first choice and 24 named it as one of their preferences, for 10 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 Roman Catholic Primary School, Stacksteads, Bacup are Bacup Holy Trinity Stacksteads Church of England Primary School (0.1 miles, Good, 60% reading, 60% maths); Bacup St Saviour's Community Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 73% reading, 73% maths); Waterfoot Primary School (1.1 miles, Good, 80% reading, 80% maths); and Bacup Thorn Primary School (1.2 miles, Good, 76% reading, 85% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Stacksteads, Bacup.

53.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 4.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (82%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 42 pupils (33.6%) received SEN support and 12 (9.6%) 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 tram or metro stop is Rawtenstall (East Lancashire Railway), about 2.9 miles away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Toll Bar (opposite), 150 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Stacksteads, Bacup stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 5th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 62 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Lancashire (109).

In 2024/25, St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Stacksteads, Bacup issued 14 suspensions, 10.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Stacksteads, Bacup are The Valley Leadership Academy (0.8 miles) and Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School (1.2 miles).