How many pupils attend St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall?

St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall has 211 pupils on roll.

How do I apply to St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall?

St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for primary places is 15 January.

Does St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall have a religious character?

Yes — St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall has a religious character of Roman Catholic. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.

How are Reception places decided at St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall?

When St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Baptised Catholic looked after and previously looked after children — Baptised Catholic looked after and previously looked after children; 2. Baptised Catholic children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs — Baptised Catholic children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs, where admission to the school might best satisfy those needs, provided that appropriate evidence from a Doctor or Social Worker is submitted with the application; 3. Baptised Catholic children with a sibling in the school — Baptised Catholic children who have a sibling in the school at the time of admission, and 7 further criteria. The school offers 30 places at this entry point. Tie-break: If in any category there are more applications than places available, priority will be given on the basis of distance from home to school. Distance will be measured in a straight line (radial) measure from the centre of the building to centre of the building using the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system with those living nearer to the school having priority. In the event of distances being the same for 2 or more applicants where this distance would be last place/s to be allocated, a random lottery will be carried out in a public place.

What is the largest ethnic background at St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall?

According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 93.4% of pupils at St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall

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How places are decided at St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Reception), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Baptised Catholic looked after and previously looked after children — Baptised Catholic looked after and previously looked after children.
2Baptised Catholic children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs — Baptised Catholic children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs, where admission to the school might best satisfy those needs, provided that appropriate evidence from a Doctor or Social Worker is submitted with the application.
3Baptised Catholic children with a sibling in the school — Baptised Catholic children who have a sibling in the school at the time of admission.
4Baptised Catholic children in parish boundary attending Children's Sunday Liturgy Group — Baptised Catholic children resident in the parish of Holy Apostles within the boundary of St James the Less (see appendix i & ii) who are registered members of and attend the Children’s Sunday Liturgy Group at St James the Less Church in the 12 months prior to the closing date for applications.
5Baptised Catholic children resident in parish/boundary — Baptised Catholic children resident in the parish of Holy Apostles, Rossendale and living within the boundary of St James the Less (see appendix i & ii).
6Other baptised Catholic children outside boundary — Other Baptised Catholic children living outside the boundary of St James the Less (see appendix i & ii).
7Other looked after and previously looked after children — Other looked after and previously looked after children.
8Other children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs — Other children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs, where admission to the school might best satisfy those needs, provided that appropriate evidence from a Doctor or Social Worker is submitted with the application.
9Other children with a sibling at the school — Other children with a sibling at the school at the time of admission.
10Other children — Other children.

If two applications tie: If in any category there are more applications than places available, priority will be given on the basis of distance from home to school. Distance will be measured in a straight line (radial) measure from the centre of the building to centre of the building using the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system with those living nearer to the school having priority. In the event of distances being the same for 2 or more applicants where this distance would be last place/s to be allocated, a random lottery will be carried out in a public place.

Closing date for applications is 15th January 2027. Parish boundary defined in Appendix i. Sibling definition and other administrative notes (A-L) provided in document.

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.

St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall: key facts

What did Ofsted judge St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in March 2013 (last graded inspection), and an ungraded inspection in January 2023 confirmed it, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall?: St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall has 211 pupils on roll.
What ages does St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall take?: St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall admits pupils aged 5 to 11.
Where is St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall located?: St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall is located in Rossendale, BB4 8SU, Lancashire.
How do I apply to St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall?: St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for primary places is 15 January.
Does St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall have a religious character?: Yes — St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall has a religious character of Roman Catholic. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.
How are Reception places decided at St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall?: When St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Baptised Catholic looked after and previously looked after children — Baptised Catholic looked after and previously looked after children; 2. Baptised Catholic children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs — Baptised Catholic children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs, where admission to the school might best satisfy those needs, provided that appropriate evidence from a Doctor or Social Worker is submitted with the application; 3. Baptised Catholic children with a sibling in the school — Baptised Catholic children who have a sibling in the school at the time of admission, and 7 further criteria. The school offers 30 places at this entry point. Tie-break: If in any category there are more applications than places available, priority will be given on the basis of distance from home to school. Distance will be measured in a straight line (radial) measure from the centre of the building to centre of the building using the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system with those living nearer to the school having priority. In the event of distances being the same for 2 or more applicants where this distance would be last place/s to be allocated, a random lottery will be carried out in a public place.
What is the largest ethnic background at St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 93.4% of pupils at St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

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Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School

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Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

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How places are decided at St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Reception), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Baptised Catholic looked after and previously looked after children — Baptised Catholic looked after and previously looked after children.
2Baptised Catholic children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs — Baptised Catholic children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs, where admission to the school might best satisfy those needs, provided that appropriate evidence from a Doctor or Social Worker is submitted with the application.
3Baptised Catholic children with a sibling in the school — Baptised Catholic children who have a sibling in the school at the time of admission.
4Baptised Catholic children in parish boundary attending Children's Sunday Liturgy Group — Baptised Catholic children resident in the parish of Holy Apostles within the boundary of St James the Less (see appendix i & ii) who are registered members of and attend the Children’s Sunday Liturgy Group at St James the Less Church in the 12 months prior to the closing date for applications.
5Baptised Catholic children resident in parish/boundary — Baptised Catholic children resident in the parish of Holy Apostles, Rossendale and living within the boundary of St James the Less (see appendix i & ii).
6Other baptised Catholic children outside boundary — Other Baptised Catholic children living outside the boundary of St James the Less (see appendix i & ii).
7Other looked after and previously looked after children — Other looked after and previously looked after children.
8Other children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs — Other children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs, where admission to the school might best satisfy those needs, provided that appropriate evidence from a Doctor or Social Worker is submitted with the application.
9Other children with a sibling at the school — Other children with a sibling at the school at the time of admission.
10Other children — Other children.

Closing date for applications is 15th January 2027. Parish boundary defined in Appendix i. Sibling definition and other administrative notes (A-L) provided in document.

St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall: key facts

What did Ofsted judge St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in March 2013 (last graded inspection), and an ungraded inspection in January 2023 confirmed it, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall?: St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall has 211 pupils on roll.
What ages does St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall take?: St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall admits pupils aged 5 to 11.
Where is St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall located?: St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall is located in Rossendale, BB4 8SU, Lancashire.
How do I apply to St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall?: St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for primary places is 15 January.
Does St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall have a religious character?: Yes — St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall has a religious character of Roman Catholic. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.
How are Reception places decided at St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall?: When St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Baptised Catholic looked after and previously looked after children — Baptised Catholic looked after and previously looked after children; 2. Baptised Catholic children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs — Baptised Catholic children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs, where admission to the school might best satisfy those needs, provided that appropriate evidence from a Doctor or Social Worker is submitted with the application; 3. Baptised Catholic children with a sibling in the school — Baptised Catholic children who have a sibling in the school at the time of admission, and 7 further criteria. The school offers 30 places at this entry point. Tie-break: If in any category there are more applications than places available, priority will be given on the basis of distance from home to school. Distance will be measured in a straight line (radial) measure from the centre of the building to centre of the building using the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system with those living nearer to the school having priority. In the event of distances being the same for 2 or more applicants where this distance would be last place/s to be allocated, a random lottery will be carried out in a public place.
What is the largest ethnic background at St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 93.4% of pupils at St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

Connected nurseries & schools

Where children go next

Pupils here are given admissions priority at these schools.

Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School

Secondary

Exceptional

Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

Interested in this school?Register interest and we'll pass your details on if it joins School Atlas.Register interest

This school hasn't claimed its profile yet, so it can't receive enquiries here. Leave your details and we'll pass them on if the school joins School Atlas.

St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall

How places are decided at St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall

St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall: key facts

Similar schools nearby

St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall

Connected nurseries & schools

Where children go next

Nearby schools within 5 km

How places are decided at St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall

St James-the-Less Roman Catholic Primary School, Rawtenstall: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Connected nurseries & schools

Where children go next

Nearby schools within 5 km