St Stephen's CofE School, PRESTON

In its own words: "Thinking about a Reception place for September 2027? 🌟 Come and visit our school, meet our team and discover what makes our school special. The Reception application window is open now until 15th January 2027. Join us for one of our Open Days. Our next is Wednesday 18th November, with tours at 🕤 9.30am and 🕜 1.30pm."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to St Stephen’s Church of England Primary School- an exceptionally happy school in the heart of Preston . St Stephen’s is deeply rooted in the life of Preston, serving families from the city centre and surrounding community."

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

Coming up: an open day on Wednesday 18 November 2026 and an open day on Friday 15 January 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 75% of Year 6 pupils at St Stephen's CofE School reached the expected standard in reading and 73% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Lancashire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 70% in reading and 70% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 30 families put St Stephen's CofE School as their first choice and 50 named it as one of their preferences, for 32 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 Stephen's CofE School are St Mary Magdalen's Catholic Primary School (0.6 miles, Requires improvement, 81% reading, 74% maths); Penwortham Middleforth Church of England Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 94% reading, 68% maths); St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, Preston (0.8 miles, 85% reading, 80% maths); and Frenchwood Community Primary School (0.9 miles, Requires improvement, 61% reading, 57% maths).

St Stephen's CofE School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

35% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 58.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (37%), White British (30%) and Black (12%).

The nearest railway station is Preston Rail Station, about 450 metres away (roughly a 6-minute walk).

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Meadow Court (adjacent), 80 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood St Stephen's CofE 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 635 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Lancashire (109), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, St Stephen's CofE School issued 10 suspensions, 2.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to St Stephen's CofE School are Penwortham Girls' High School (0.7 miles), Christ The King Catholic High School (1 mile), Penwortham Priory Academy (1.3 miles) and All Hallows Catholic High School (1.5 miles).