St Andrew's Church of England Primary School, Ramsbottom

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 January 2026

St Andrew’s is a welcoming school where pupils feel known and valued. Pupils are guided by the school’s vision of ‘Letting our light shine’. This is reflected in how pupils treat one another. Staff greet pupils each day in a friendly and positive way. They take the time to understand pupils’ needs and interests. This helps pupils to feel safe and supported. It also gives pupils the confidence to share any worries they may have. Pupils enjoy their learning and typically achieve well. They develop knowledge and skills across the curriculum and, over time, become confident readers. Pupils relish learning new information, from building wattle-and-daub walls to finding out about the Anglo-Saxons. Pupils who face barriers to their learning, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, receive support that enables them to make progress through the curriculum. Pupils are generally well prepared for their next steps. From the early years, children learn how to socialise and follow routines. Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. Learning is rarely disrupted. Pupils show kindness towards one another. Instances of bullying or unkind behaviour are rare and are swiftly dealt with. Across the school, most pupils attend regularly. However, some pupils do not attend as regularly as others, which means they miss some learning. Pupils value the additional responsibilities they are given, such as becoming buddies for younger children. They take on ‘spirit blazer’ roles that enable them to work with the community and get involved in fundraising events. Older pupils act as positive role models. They enjoy playing with and supporting younger pupils during breaktimes and at lunchtime. The school offers a wide range of clubs and activities, including musical and sporting experiences.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should continue their work to secure consistently high attendance for pupils, including those who are disadvantaged. • Leaders should ensure that staff in the early years have the skills to take every opportunity to develop children’s communication skills, so that interactions with children consistently promote language development.

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