Oswaldtwistle St Paul's Church of England Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 January 2026

Leaders have established a school vision in line with its ethos, rooted in love. This vision inspires staff and pupils alike. Pupils have very positive attitudes to their learning. Staff demonstrate compassion and care for pupils and each other. In turn, pupils do the same. Older pupils are proud of the role models that they have become for younger pupils. Pupils are safe and very happy at this school. From early years onwards, staff teach pupils the skills that they need to manage their own feelings and behaviour. As pupils progress through the school, they are able to manage their behaviour consistently well. Some pupils face unavoidable challenges that limit their attendance at school. However, overall, pupils attend regularly. Lessons are calm and focused because pupils are eager to acquire new knowledge. Staff make sure that they adapt lessons so that pupils at varied stages in their learning can access learning effectively. The curriculum is enhanced by the use of the school's 'pupil passports'. These provide a broad range of activities that pupils may not otherwise experience. In most areas, pupils achieve well. Published outcomes in writing at the end of Year 6 lag behind national averages. However, some pupils join the school at a later stage than others. Pupils who benefit from having all of their education in this school achieve well in writing. In general, pupils secure the important foundations that they need for future learning and success. Pupils understand and celebrate each other's differences. They feel deeply that they belong here. This sense of belonging helps pupils to thrive. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive support that is carefully shaped to meet their needs. Leaders' actions are highly effective in removing barriers to learning that pupils might have. Pupils flourish because of this support.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should make sure that pupils have more opportunities to practise and rehearse new learning, including in personal, social, health and economic education, so that pupils remember in the long term the important knowledge that they are taught. • Leaders should continue their work to refine the teaching of handwriting so that pupils who struggle with writing are able to write fluently and accurately. • Leaders should make sure that phonics teaching is of a consistently high quality so that any gaps in knowledge are addressed as quickly as possible.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)