St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, Sabden
Watt Street, Sabden, Clitheroe, BB7 9EDOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, Sabden is a primary school in Clitheroe for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 692 schools in Lancashire. It ranks 11th of 12 primary schools in Clitheroe. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in May 2014.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 14 May 2014, report published 12 June 2014
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 24 November 2022
Pupils at St Mary's Catholic School are happy and enjoy attending school. The school motto of 'all are welcome' accurately sums up its distinct ethos. Pupils say that teachers meet them at the school gates each day to help them feel ready for the day ahead. Everyone contributes to the close-knit feel of the school family. All staff have high expectations for pupils, including those pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Classrooms are calm and harmonious places to learn. Pupils enjoy warm relationships with their teachers and support staff. In lessons, pupils listen carefully to teachers' instructions and do their best to work hard. Pupils interact and play with their friends at breaktimes. They are kind and helpful towards each other. Pupils are confident that leaders and staff will listen to their concerns. Leaders deal well with any incidents of bullying. Adults swiftly address minor falling outs. Pupils relish taking on leadership roles in the school, including pupil chaplain. Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, are encouraged to engage in a plethora of extra- curricular activities. Staff offer a wide range of activities that spark pupils' interest including handbell club, craft club and yoga.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, teachers do not use assessment as effectively as they could. They are not consistently able to identify and address gaps in pupils' knowledge. This means that teachers do not always know what subject content pupils need to revisit and practise before moving on. Leaders should ensure that there are clear assessment strategies in place for teachers to use.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
7 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
69 pupils on roll, with places for 90
Schools near St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, Sabden
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sabden Primary School | 0.2 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | 50% met the expected standard |
| Simonstone St Peter's Church of England Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 67% met the expected standard |
| Read St John's CofE Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 73% met the expected standard |
| Padiham St Leonard's Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | 60% met the expected standard |
| Higham St John's Church of England Primary School | 2 miles | Report card: Urgent improvement to expected standard | 53% 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
- Miss Claire Halstead
- Phone
- 01282771009
- Address
- Watt Street, Sabden, Clitheroe, BB7 9ED
- Local authority
- Lancashire
- URN
- 119651
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.