St Margaret Ward Catholic Primary School

About St Margaret Ward Catholic Primary School

St Margaret Ward Catholic Primary School is a popular choice among local families, and the numbers back that up. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 42 applications for just 21 places, giving it an oversubscription ratio of 2:1. Every one of those 21 places went to a first-preference applicant, which suggests that for those who get in, it’s exactly what they were after. The school is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary in Trafford, led by headteacher Jason Hughes, and it currently has 240 pupils on roll, which is above its official capacity of 210. That squeeze on space is a practical reality for parents to weigh up. The school also offers nursery provision, so families with younger children can get a foot in the door early, though that will only add to the competition for places further up the school.

Academically, St Margaret Ward delivers solid results, though it sits in the middle of a strong local field. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 69% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, just a touch below the Trafford local authority average of 71%. The school ranks 35th out of 55 primary schools in the borough on that measure, placing it in the top half locally. Where it really shines is in reading: 88% of pupils hit the expected standard and 41% reached the higher standard, both well above the national picture. Maths scores are respectable too, with an average scaled score of 106 and 81% reaching the expected level. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2023 rated it Good overall, with Outstanding marks for personal development and for behaviour and attitudes. That’s a notable improvement from its previous Outstanding rating in 2009, though the current inspection framework is tougher.

Beyond the classroom, St Margaret Ward offers a decent range of facilities for a primary school, including a Forest School area, a sports hall, playing fields, a library, music rooms and a chapel. Sports provision covers swimming, football, gymnastics, netball and tennis, while clubs include book club, choir, eco club, drama and science club. The school has identified SEND support for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech and language needs, social and emotional mental health difficulties, and other disabilities. With 31.6% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a relatively diverse intake. It’s a good fit for Catholic families in Trafford who want a faith-based primary with strong pastoral care and a broad extracurricular offer, but oversubscription means early application is essential. For those who don’t secure a place, Tyntesfield Primary School, rated Outstanding, is less than a kilometre away.

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