St Anne's Catholic Primary School

About St Anne's Catholic Primary School

St Anne’s Catholic Primary School in Stafford is a smaller-than-average primary, with 201 pupils against a capacity of 218, and it is clearly a popular choice among local families. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 38 applications for just 19 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2:1, and 18 of those 38 applicants listed it as their first preference. That level of demand is notable for a school of this size. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals sits at 9%, which is below the national average and suggests a relatively affluent intake. The school is a Roman Catholic state primary, taking children from age 3 through to 11, and it offers nursery provision. Karen Bennett is the headteacher, and the school’s religious character is likely a draw for Catholic families in the area, though the data doesn’t specify admissions criteria beyond oversubscription.

Academically, St Anne’s performs solidly against local and national benchmarks. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 70% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is above the Staffordshire local authority average of 65%. Reading was a particular strength, with 97% of pupils reaching the expected standard and 37% achieving a higher score. In maths, 73% met the expected standard and 40% scored at the higher level. The school’s average scaled scores were 108 in reading and 106 in maths. Nationally, it ranks in the 32nd percentile for KS2 outcomes, and within the West Midlands it sits in the 31st percentile. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, the school was rated Good overall, with Outstanding marks for personal development and leadership and management. That’s a step down from its previous Outstanding rating in 2010, but the inspection team noted strong leadership and pupil behaviour.

The school offers a good range of facilities for a primary, including a library, gymnasium, music rooms, playing fields, a sensory room, an outdoor playground and a chapel. Sports on offer include netball, gymnastics, tennis and athletics, and there are clubs such as coding, book club, gardening, film club and drama. SEND provision is broad, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language issues, hearing and multi-sensory impairment, physical disability, and autistic spectrum disorder. For families considering St Anne’s, the oversubscription data makes it clear that applying early and as a first preference is important. The nearest Outstanding-rated school is Leasowes Primary School, just 0.4 km away, which may be an alternative for those who don’t secure a place. This school will particularly suit Catholic families or those who value a faith-based education with strong pastoral care and a well-resourced learning environment.

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