Barrow URC Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 4 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Old Row, Barrow, Clitheroe, BB7 9AZOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Barrow URC Primary School is a primary school in Clitheroe for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 692 schools in Lancashire. It ranks 4th of 12 primary schools in Clitheroe. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2024.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 4 June 2024, report published 1 July 2024

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 June 2024

The school is determined for pupils to be the best that they can be. Pupils embrace this ambition in how they behave in and around the school. Their behaviour is exemplary and underpinned by their strong moral values. Pupils are respectful and courteous towards one another, which helps them to feel happy at school. Pupils are provided with a positive start to their education. This stems from the high levels of ambition the school has for its pupils. Many pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve well across much of the curriculum. Pupils have a voice at this school and they feel valued. They know that the school will act upon their suggestions and opinions to make the school the best that it can be. For example, areas of the school playground have been modified following feedback from the pupils. Pupils benefit from the broad range of clubs that are available to them. These include different sporting activities, as well as sewing, science and cookery clubs. The school ensures that many pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, benefit from attending these clubs.

What the school should improve

  • In one or two subjects, some teachers do not have the subject knowledge that they need to teach the intended curriculum effectively. Some of the learning activities that they design do not enable pupils to learn the curriculum as well as they could. The school should make sure that teachers have the knowledge that they need to effectively deliver the curriculum so that pupils achieve well.
  • In one or two subjects, some teachers do not teach the key vocabulary set out in the curriculum consistently. As a result, in these subjects, pupils do not learn the important subject-specific vocabulary. The school should ensure that the vocabulary set out in the curriculum is taught as intended so that pupils can understand and articulate their learning.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

30 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths73%

73%, 11 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths10%

10%, 2 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score109

109, 3 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score110

110, 5 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score109

109, 4 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

206 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals5.8%

5.8%, 20.7 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language0.5%

0.5%, 21.1 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support8.7%

8.7%, 6.1 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan1.5%

1.5%, 4.5 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Barrow URC Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Whalley Church of England Primary School2 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standard81% met the expected standard
St James' Church of England Primary School, Clitheroe2 milesOfsted: Good51% met the expected standard
Edisford Primary School2 milesOfsted: Good81% met the expected standard
St Michael and St John's Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy2 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Clitheroe Brookside Primary School2 milesReport card: Needs attention to expected standard50% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Voluntary controlled school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
United Reformed Church
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mrs Nicola McArdle
Address
Old Row, Barrow, Clitheroe, BB7 9AZ
Local authority
Lancashire
URN
119397

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.