St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School

About St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School

St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School is a state-funded mixed primary for ages 4 to 11 in Three Rivers, Hertfordshire, and it is clearly a popular choice among local families. The school currently has 258 pupils on roll, which is 32 above its official capacity of 226, indicating that it is operating beyond its intended size. Demand is strong: for the 2025/26 intake, there were 112 total applications for just 30 places, with 43 families listing it as their first preference. That works out at 3.73 applications per place, and the school is officially oversubscribed. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 12 per cent, which is a useful benchmark for the area. The headteacher is Nicola Kane, and the school has a Roman Catholic religious character, which will be a key factor for many families considering it.

Academically, the school holds a Good rating from Ofsted, a grade it has maintained since at least its 2014 graded inspection. In the most recent ungraded inspection in September 2023, inspectors confirmed the school remains Good. However, the early years provision was rated as Requires Improvement in that same inspection, which is worth noting for parents of younger children. At Key Stage 2 in 2023/24, 68 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is above the local authority average of 64 per cent. Reading scores were particularly strong, with 88 per cent reaching the expected standard and 32 per cent achieving a higher standard. Maths scores were also solid, with an average scaled score of 106 and 79 per cent at expected. Nationally, the school ranks in the 36th percentile for combined expected standards, and within Three Rivers it sits 17th out of 25 primary schools.

The school offers a range of facilities including a library, music rooms, playing fields, an outdoor playground and a chapel. Sports on offer include tennis, cross country, rounders and football, while clubs cover drama, science and eco themes. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists SEND provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech and language needs, social and emotional mental health, physical disability and autistic spectrum disorder. The nearest outstanding-rated primary is Parkgate Junior School, 2.4 km away, which may be a consideration for some. Given the oversubscription rate and the above-average KS2 results compared to the local authority, this school will suit families who prioritise a Catholic primary with strong reading outcomes and who are prepared to apply early and make a first-preference choice.

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