Saint Mary's Catholic Voluntary Academy

About Saint Mary's Catholic Voluntary Academy

Saint Mary's Catholic Voluntary Academy is a popular choice among local families, with 30 first-preference applications for 30 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, meaning every family who put it first secured a spot. The school was oversubscribed overall, receiving 45 applications for those 30 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.5. This demand suggests a solid local reputation. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024, the school retained its Good rating across all five graded categories, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and early years provision. That consistency matters to parents, and the school also offers a nursery provision, making it a natural choice for families looking for a single setting from age three.

Academically, the school's Key Stage 2 results for 2023/24 show a mixed picture. The proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined was 40%, well below the local authority average of 64%. This places Saint Mary's 39th out of 42 primary schools in North East Lincolnshire, and in the bottom 50% nationally. Individual subject scores were more varied: 53% met the expected standard in reading, 50% in writing, and 50% in maths. At the higher standard, just 3% achieved the combined benchmark, though 20% reached that level in maths. Progress scores were not available in the data, so it is difficult to say how much value the school adds from pupils' starting points. The school serves a community with 45.1% of pupils eligible for free school meals, which is significantly above the national average and may be a relevant factor when interpreting these outcomes.

The school is well equipped with facilities that support a broad experience, including a sensory room, music rooms, an art studio, a forest school, and a chapel. Sports on offer include cricket, gymnastics, cross country and football, while clubs range from coding and choir to gardening and eco club. The school has a strong SEND offer, with provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate and severe learning difficulties, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health support. With a capacity of 210 and 237 pupils on roll, the school is slightly over capacity, which reflects its popularity. For families prioritising a Roman Catholic primary with a strong pastoral and SEND framework, Saint Mary's is a genuine local option, though those focused on top-tier academic outcomes may want to compare it with nearby schools like Elliston Primary Academy, rated Outstanding and 1.6 km away.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Saint Mary's Catholic Voluntary Academy

Helpful Guides for Parents