Whalley Church of England Primary School, Clitheroe

Ofsted's report card from its 10 March 2026 inspection grades Whalley Church of England Primary School 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.

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities quickly and accurately."

Achievement - Expected standard. "At the end of Year 6, outcomes in reading, writing and mathematics are consistently above national averages."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Attendance at the school is above the national average."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have a secure understanding of the quality of curriculum and teaching in the school."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children in the early years benefit from a well-planned curriculum."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders know the school well."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Whalley Church of England Primary School has a well-structured programme to support pupils' personal development."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that staff address occasional gaps in some pupils' knowledge beyond English and mathematics"; "Leaders should ensure that staff consistently have high enough expectations for all children in the early years, particularly in writing, so that those who are capable of achieving more are given the opportunity to do so".

In its own words: "The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that the key 'British Values' are taught in all schools in the united Kingdom. We encourage all children to follow 'The Whalley Way' which is build around the ideas of tolerance and respect for others. The table below gives an overview of how British Values are demonstrated in our school."

In 2025, 88% of Year 6 pupils at Whalley Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 88% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Lancashire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (86% in reading, 89% in maths).

For September 2026 entry, 37 families put Whalley Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 119 named it as one of their preferences, for 43 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 Whalley Church of England Primary School are Langho and Billington St Leonards Church of England Primary School (1.4 miles, Outstanding, 93% reading, 96% maths); Barrow URC Primary School (1.5 miles, Good, 90% reading, 97% maths); St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, Langho (2.1 miles, Good, 88% reading, 85% maths); and Great Harwood St Bartholomew's Parish Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School (2.2 miles, Good, 74% reading, 74% maths).

Whalley Church of England Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

77 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Whalley Church of England Primary School (as of April 2026): 99% would recommend the school, 99% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that they are kept well informed about progress (92%).

6.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 1.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Whalley Rail Station, about 370 metres away (roughly a 5-minute walk).

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Bus Station (stand a), 190 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Whalley Church of England Primary School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 49 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, Whalley Church of England Primary School issued 11 suspensions, 3.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.