St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall
Unity Way, Rawtenstall, Rossendale, BB4 8SUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall is a primary school in Rossendale for ages 5 to 11. It is one of the 692 schools in Lancashire. It ranks 4th of 13 primary schools in Rossendale. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2013.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 6 March 2013, report published 28 March 2013
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 18 January 2023
Pupils at St James-the-Less are friendly and welcoming. They build strong relationships with their teachers. Pupils appreciate the care that they receive, and this helps them to feel safe. Pupils live up to the high expectations that leaders set for their behaviour. Pupils are polite and well mannered. Pupils have a warm and respectful relationship with their peers. If bullying occurs, leaders take appropriate steps to resolve issues quickly. Leaders are ambitious for all pupils, including children in early years, to achieve highly. Pupils have a positive attitude to learning. From early years to Year 6, they work hard and try their best. Pupils enjoy school and they are keen to attend each day. They are well prepared for the next stage of their education. Pupils enjoy the various sports activities that are on offer, such as skiing and swimming. Pupils also thrive in their leadership roles. These include acting as digital leaders, sports ambassadors, school council members, Reception class buddies, mental health advocates and book buddies. This provides older pupils with the opportunity to be excellent role models for the younger pupils and children in early years.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, teachers' use of assessment strategies is not effective in checking what pupils have learned or when pupils have misconceptions. This leads to gaps in pupils' understanding. Leaders should ensure that teachers are equipped to check that pupils' learning is secure before they are moved on to new ideas or subject content.
- Some teachers do not adapt their delivery of the curriculum well enough for pupils with SEND. This stops some pupils with SEND from learning all that they should. Leaders should ensure that teachers use the information that they hold to make sure that pupils with SEND can access the same ambitious curriculum as other pupils in the school.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
32 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
211 pupils on roll, with places for 210
Schools near St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Mary's CofE Primary School Rawtenstall | 0.1 miles | Ofsted: Good | 50% met the expected standard |
| Rawtenstall St Paul's Church of England Primary School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 44% met the expected standard |
| Rawtenstall Balladen Community Primary School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | 32% met the expected standard |
| St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, Haslingden | 1 mile | Ofsted: Outstanding | 71% met the expected standard |
| Haslingden Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 58% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary aided school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 5 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Jessica Bell-Shaw
- Phone
- 01706216190
- Address
- Unity Way, Rawtenstall, Rossendale, BB4 8SU
- Local authority
- Lancashire
- URN
- 119665
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.