St Mary’s is a well‑maintained, single‑storey primary school with a rich history as the oldest school in the Diocese of Lancaster. The oldest part of the building dates back to 1732 and originally served as the village church. Over time, the school has been sympathetically extended, creating a spacious and welcoming interior that is surprisingly large behind its modest frontage.

The school underwent a successful Ofsted inspection in July 2025. Inspectors noted:
“Pupils are well known and celebrated at this inclusive, close‑knit school.”

Pupils themselves describe St Mary’s as a fun and exciting place to be. They arrive cheerfully each day and thrive in what Ofsted called “a thriving hub of the community.”

In May 2023, the Catholic School Inspectorate rated the school Good, highlighting that “all pupils feel happy and safe in school and are able to flourish.” This strong sense of belonging and care sits at the heart of daily life at St Mary’s.

Currently, there are 43 children on roll, aged 4–11. The school day runs from 8.50am to 3.30pm, exceeding the recommended minimum of 32.5 hours per week.

St Mary’s is a small rural school situated at the heart of the market village of Great Eccleston, surrounded by pleasant countryside. It serves the extensive parish of St Mary’s, which includes the villages of Inskip, Thornton, Singleton, St Michael’s, Little Eccleston, and Elswick. Links with the parish church are strong and longstanding.

St Mary’s welcomes applications from parents who wish their children to be educated within the aims, ethos, and nurturing environment of our school.

The school office is usually open during school hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

For convenience, we use MCAS (My Child At School) for online payments, ordering uniform, checking attendance, messaging school staff, and providing consent for trips and clubs.

If you have any queries, please contact Mrs Lauren Birkett, Bursar.

Mrs J Birch, Headteacher 

bursar@st-marysgreateccleston.lancs.sch.uk