Alston Lane Catholic Primary School, Longridge is a mainstream primary school in Preston, Lancashire, for children aged 2 to 11. In January 2026, 18 of its 235 pupils (7.7%) were getting SEN support and 9 (3.8%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 2–11
- 235 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Lancashire.
7.7% get SEN support
18 of 235 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
3.8% have an EHC plan
9 of 235 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism10
- Social, emotional and mental health6
- Speech, language and communication5
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia5
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream primary school
- Run as
- Academy
- Ages
- 2 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 235 (places for 210)
- Headteacher
- Mr Mark FitzGibbon
- Part of
- Mater Ecclesiae Catholic Multi-Academy Trust
- Faith
- Roman Catholic
- Free school meals
- 18.1% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Lancashire
- School reference (URN)
- 151005
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Lancashire council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Good, April 2013; school remains Good (October 2022)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in April 2013. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, October 2022).
Contact and getting there
Preston Road, Alston, Preston, PR3 3BJ
Loading the map…
Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Hillside Specialist School and College Special school · Ages 3–19 · Ofsted: Good 1.9 miles
- Brook View School Independent · Ages 8–19 · Ofsted: Good 2.5 miles
- Brockholes Wood Community Primary School and Nursery Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 3.4 miles
- Holme Slack Community Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 3.5 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Grimsargh St Michael's Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 13.8%, EHC plans 1.8% 1.1 miles
- St Cecilia's RC High School Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 5.7%, EHC plans 4% 1.2 miles
- Longridge High School Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 14%, EHC plans 2.1% 1.2 miles
All mainstream schools in Lancashire SEND schools in Lancashire
Questions about Alston Lane Catholic Primary School, Longridge
How many pupils at Alston Lane Catholic Primary School, Longridge have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 18 of the 235 pupils (7.7%) were getting SEN support and 9 (3.8%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Alston Lane Catholic Primary School, Longridge?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (10 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (6 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (5 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Alston Lane Catholic Primary School, Longridge?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Alston Lane Catholic Primary School, Longridge?
Through Lancashire council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Alston Lane Catholic Primary School, Longridge?
You can ask for Alston Lane Catholic Primary School, Longridge to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Alston Lane Catholic Primary School, Longridge have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Brockholes Wood Community Primary School and Nursery, about 3.4 miles away.
Where is Alston Lane Catholic Primary School, Longridge?
Preston Road, Alston, Preston, PR3 3BJ, in Lancashire.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.