Gisburn Road Community Primary School

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

Gisburn Road, Barnoldswick, BB18 5LSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Gisburn Road Community Primary School is a primary school in Barnoldswick for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 692 schools in Lancashire. It ranks 119th of 444 primary schools in Lancashire. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in April 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 29 April 2025, report published 17 June 2025

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

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

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 29 April 2025

Gisburn Road is a truly inclusive school where pupils, and children in the early years, thrive in a nurturing environment. Pupils show high levels of respect for each other and for adults. Pupils are happy and safe at school. They are cared for very well. Staff are always available for pupils to speak to if they have any worries. Pupils work hard in lessons and enjoy their playtimes together. Most pupils respond well to the high expectations the school has of their achievement. This means that pupils learn successfully and are typically ready for their next steps. The school's vision of being a place 'where family and learning unite' is realised through the highly positive relationships between the school, its pupils and their parents and carers. Preparing pupils to become active and respectful citizens is a high priority. Routines are set from the early years, where children learn to work cooperatively together. Pupils behave exceptionally well. Any pupils who struggle to manage their emotions receive the help they need from caring staff who know them well. All pupils have access to an impressively wide range of extra-curricular activities. These include team-building and adventurous activities. These experiences help pupils to become confident and independent young people.

What the school should improve

  • At times, the activities that pupils complete do not help them to develop a secure knowledge of the subjects that they study. This prevents some pupils from achieving as well as they could. The school should ensure that it supports staff to design learning activities that prepare pupils well for each step in their education.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

24 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths67%

67%, 5 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths13%

13%, 5 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score106

106, the same as the England average.

Maths, average scaled score102

102, 3 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score105

105, the same as the England average.

Pupil numbers and mix

204 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals16.2%

16.2%, 10.3 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language2.5%

2.5%, 19.1 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support8.8%

8.8%, 6 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan5.4%

5.4%, 0.6 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Gisburn Road Community Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St Joseph's Catholic primary School, a Voluntary Academy0.2 milesOfsted: Good60% met the expected standard
Barnoldswick Church of England Controlled Primary School0.5 milesOfsted: Good64% met the expected standard
Coates Lane Primary School0.6 milesOfsted judgements: Good37% met the expected standard
Salterforth Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good62% met the expected standard
Kelbrook Primary School2 milesOfsted: Good67% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mrs Lisa McCloskey
Address
Gisburn Road, Barnoldswick, BB18 5LS
Local authority
Lancashire
URN
119265

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.