St William's Catholic Primary School, Pilling, Preston

From the headteacher's welcome: "St William's is a voluntary aided school that serves the local rural community of Pilling and surrounding areas. We offer education to children aged 2 - 11 years."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, basketball, multi-sports, judo, dance, choir, chess and STEM.

In 2025, 57% of Year 6 pupils at St William's Catholic Primary School, Pilling reached the expected standard in reading and 43% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Lancashire and 77% and 75% across England.

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

For September 2026 entry, 5 families put St William's Catholic Primary School, Pilling as their first choice and 9 named it as one of their preferences, for 5 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to St William's Catholic Primary School, Pilling are Pilling St John's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 100% reading, 93% maths); Carter's Charity Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Preesall (2.7 miles, Requires improvement, 68% reading, 57% maths); Stalmine Primary School (2.9 miles, Good, 69% reading, 56% maths); and Preesall Fleetwood's Charity Church of England Primary School (2.9 miles, Good, 56% reading, 67% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than St William's Catholic Primary School, Pilling.

St William's Catholic Primary School, Pilling is one of 20 schools run by The Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 47% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

36.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 4.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 11 pupils (23.4%) received SEN support and 4 (8.5%) 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 a moderate learning difficulty.

St William's Catholic Primary School, Pilling had 5 teachers in 2026, one for every 7 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 William's Catholic Primary School, Pilling.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Williams RC School (outside), 60 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 6 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and vehicle crime. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Lancashire (109).

St William's Catholic Primary School, Pilling recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.