Crab Lane Primary School
Crab Lane, Higher Blackley, Manchester, M9 8NBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Crab Lane Primary School is a primary school in Manchester for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 209 schools in Manchester. It ranks 178th of 250 primary schools in Manchester. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in October 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 29 October 2024, report published 28 November 2024
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 29 October 2024
Pupils are happy and settled at this friendly school. They told inspectors that they enjoy spending time with their friends. Pupils know that they can freely express themselves while at school. Caring staff support pupils well if they have any worries. The school has high expectations for pupils' achievement. Most pupils, including those who are disadvantaged and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve well. Pupils appreciate recognition for their efforts, such as by receiving house points, raffle tickets and prizes. Pupils typically behave well during lessons and around the school. They understand that by following the school's 'LEARNERS' values they help to make classrooms purposeful learning environments. Pupils also try their best to observe the school's 'golden rules', which include working hard and being kind and respectful. The school provides pupils with rich experiences to enhance their learning. For example, pupils enjoy trips to farms, art galleries, museums, a recycling centre and an observatory. Visitors to the school help to develop pupils' understanding of important issues, such as being safe online and while outdoors. Pupils attend a range of clubs, including sports, gardening, cookery and art. They take part in talent shows and compete in sports events with other schools.
What the school should improve
- Until recently, the school has not placed enough emphasis on fostering pupils' love of reading. This means that some pupils have limited knowledge of different writers and texts, which makes it difficult for them to talk with enthusiasm about reading. The school should ensure that these pupils read more widely and often so that they develop their understanding of a broader and varied range of literature.
- In the early years, the school has not fully determined the precise vocabulary that children should learn and when this should happen. As a result, staff do not consistently introduce and revisit enough new words during learning time. The school should help staff to broaden children's vocabulary so that they know and remember more.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
50 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
412 pupils on roll, with places for 472
Schools near Crab Lane Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Clare's RC Primary School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 55% met the expected standard |
| Bowker Vale Primary School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 61% met the expected standard |
| Pike Fold Primary School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 57% met the expected standard |
| E-ACT Blackley Academy | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 62% met the expected standard |
| Crumpsall Lane Primary School | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Good | 60% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Philip Hughes
- Phone
- 01617402851
- Address
- Crab Lane, Higher Blackley, Manchester, M9 8NB
- Local authority
- Manchester
- URN
- 105465
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.