St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Withnell
Bury Lane, Withnell, Chorley, PR6 8SDOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Withnell is a primary school in Chorley for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 692 schools in Lancashire. It ranks 2nd of 40 primary schools in Chorley. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in October 2019.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 8 October 2019, report published 14 November 2019
- Overall effectiveness
- Outstanding
- Quality of education
- Outstanding
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Outstanding
- Early years provision
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 17 December 2024
Pupils are happy and thrive at this nurturing school. They are polite, kind and considerate. Pupils enjoy positive relationships with staff, who care for them well. The school has high aspirations for pupils from the moment that they arrive, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils enjoy their learning and take part in lessons with enthusiasm. As a result, pupils achieve highly across the curriculum. Pupils' conduct is exemplary. They appreciate the awards that they receive when they demonstrate care and compassion towards others. Pupils benefit from an impressive range of activities designed to cultivate their talents and interests, such as sports, arts and music clubs. There are equally extensive opportunities for pupils to develop their leadership skills. Older pupils act as school councillors, sports leaders and buddies to younger children. The school provides pupils with access to trips that enhance their understanding of the wider world. For example, they visit places of worship, the theatre and engage in cultural visits, including to London. Pupils are extremely proud of their contribution to the local community. For example, they have raised money for numerous charities and have taken action to ensure that their school is operating sustainably. Pupils become confident and articulate young people.
What the school should improve
- The school is developing its provision for the specific needs of a few pupils with SEND. This means that the support that these pupils receive is variable and some do not achieve as well as they could. The school should ensure that staff have the knowledge and skills they need so that they are better able to meet the needs of all pupils with SEND equally well.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
14 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
92 pupils on roll, with places for 105
Schools near St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Withnell
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbey Village Primary School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 80% met the expected standard |
| Brinscall St John's CofE and Methodist Primary School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good | 68% met the expected standard |
| Withnell Fold Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 42% met the expected standard |
| St Stephen's Tockholes CofE Primary School | 2 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | 10% met the expected standard |
| Feniscowles Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 56% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary aided school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Katie Cunliffe
- Phone
- 01254830400
- Address
- Bury Lane, Withnell, Chorley, PR6 8SD
- Local authority
- Lancashire
- URN
- 119680
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.