St Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy, Preston

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are a school family, where every member is valued, encouraged and cared for in a supportive environment. Our school family is made up of many different cultures and faiths and we enjoy serving such a rich and diverse community. This diversity helps prepare our children for life in the 21st century within our wonderfully multicultural city of Preston."

The school runs a breakfast club, from £1.50 per day.

In 2025, 68% of Year 6 pupils at St Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 67% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Lancashire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 50% in reading and 50% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 43 families put St Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy as their first choice and 111 named it as one of their preferences, for 44 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 Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy are St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Preston (0.1 miles, 80% reading, 82% maths); Ribbleton Avenue Infant School (0.4 miles, Outstanding); Ribbleton Avenue Methodist Junior School (0.4 miles, Good, 70% reading, 58% maths); and St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, Preston (0.4 miles, 70% reading, 60% maths).

St Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

St Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy is one of 15 schools run by Cidari Education Limited, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 49% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

73.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (55%), White British (11%) and Black (5%).

In 2026, 54 pupils (13%) received SEN support and 26 (6.3%) 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.

The nearest railway station is Preston Rail Station, about 1.4 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Acregate Lane (opposite), 140 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood St Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy 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 582 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 Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy issued 4 suspensions, 0.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to St Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy are Eden Boys' School, Preston (0.5 miles); Preston Muslim Girls High School (0.5 miles); Moor Park High School (0.9 miles); and Christ The King Catholic High School (1.1 miles).