Great Harwood Primary School
Rushton Street, Great Harwood, Blackburn, BB6 7JQOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Great Harwood Primary School is a primary school in Blackburn for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 692 schools in Lancashire. It ranks 36th of 49 primary schools in Blackburn. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 20 September 2023, report published 13 November 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- 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 20 September 2023
Pupils, including children in the early years, enjoy coming to school. They are happy and interested in what they are learning. Pupils understand how important it is to work hard in school, so that they will do well in later life. Parents and carers are very positive about the school. They appreciate the support that staff provide for their children. Parents said that they found it easy to communicate with staff. Pupils behave well in lessons and at playtime. They are polite and respectful to one another. Pupils know that staff will help them to sort out any minor problems that they may have. This helps pupils to feel well cared for and safe in school. The school has high expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Most pupils achieve well across the curriculum. They enjoy celebrating successes in their own work and they strive to achieve certificates in assembly. Pupils enjoy a range of trips to places in the local area. For example, they were keen to visit the supermarket to buy what they needed for baking and they delighted in singing at a local community venue. They are proud to be elected to positions of responsibility in school, such as acting as school councillors or eco-warriors.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, the most important key knowledge that pupils should learn is not clear enough for teachers. This means that, in these subjects, some pupils are hindered in building securely on prior learning. It also makes it more difficult for teachers to check pupils' understanding and to ascertain what knowledge they have retained over time. The school should ensure that teachers are clear about the knowledge that pupils should acquire in these subjects.
- The school has not ensured that some pupils experience a wide enough range of activities to develop their knowledge and skills beyond the academic curriculum. As a result, some pupils do not have enough opportunities to develop further their sporting and artistic skills and abilities. The school should ensure that these pupils have enough opportunities to pursue and hone further their talents and interests.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
33 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
210 pupils on roll, with places for 315
Schools near Great Harwood Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Wulstan's Roman Catholic Primary School, Great Harwood | 0.1 miles | Ofsted: Good | 27% met the expected standard |
| Great Harwood St John's Church of England Primary School | 0.3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 44% met the expected standard |
| Great Harwood St Bartholomew's Parish Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 59% met the expected standard |
| St Hubert's Roman Catholic Primary School, Great Harwood | 0.8 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 54% met the expected standard |
| Rishton St Peter and St Paul's Church of England Primary School | 1 mile | 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 John McKenna
- Phone
- 01254880810
- Address
- Rushton Street, Great Harwood, Blackburn, BB6 7JQ
- Local authority
- Lancashire
- URN
- 119162
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.