Northern Primary School
Burnley Road, Northern Primary School, Bacup, OL13 8PHOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Northern Primary School is a primary school in Bacup for ages 5 to 11. It is one of the 692 schools in Lancashire. It ranks 4th of 8 primary schools in Bacup. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2013.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 20 November 2013, report published 12 December 2013
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 20 February 2024
This is a small and friendly school where pupils are celebrated for their individuality. Staff know the pupils well. Pupils arrive at school happy and ready to learn. They are greeted warmly by staff and their friends each morning. This pleasant atmosphere continues throughout the school day. Pupils said that they can speak to a trusted adult if they have any concerns. They value their opinions being listened to. Pupils behave well. In lessons, they are immersed in their learning. The school expects pupils to achieve well and many pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), do so. The school provides valuable opportunities for pupils to learn beyond the academic curriculum. Pupils learn about different experiences in the wider world. For example, they learn about a range of different places of worship through their studies and by visiting them. Pupils can attend a wide range of clubs such as gardening and badminton. Many of the pupils take up this offer and discover new interests. Older pupils act as club captains to support staff and inspire younger pupils.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, a few of the activities that teachers choose to deliver the curriculum do not help pupils to learn as well as they could. This means that some pupils have gaps in their knowledge. The school should ensure that teachers receive appropriate support to develop their subject-specific knowledge and, consequently, to implement the curriculum as it is intended.
- In a small number of subjects, the school's approaches to checking on pupils' knowledge and understanding are underdeveloped. This means that, on occasion, teachers do not have sufficient information to assure themselves that pupils have understood key information and concepts. The school should develop assessment strategies that teachers can use with confidence and accuracy to ensure that any gaps in pupils' learning are identified and tackled quickly.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
26 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
161 pupils on roll, with places for 210
Schools near Northern Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacup Thorn Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 61% met the expected standard |
| Sharneyford Primary School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good | 30% met the expected standard |
| St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy | 1 mile | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | 15% met the expected standard |
| Bacup St Saviour's Community Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 64% met the expected standard |
| St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Stacksteads, Bacup | 2 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | 50% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 5 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Anna Ewens
- Phone
- 01706874154
- Address
- Burnley Road, Northern Primary School, Bacup, OL13 8PH
- Local authority
- Lancashire
- URN
- 119190
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.