St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School

About St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Of the 34 parents who responded to Ofsted's Parent View survey between September 2024 and September 2025, 82% said they would recommend St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School to other parents. That's a strong endorsement, and it's backed up by the numbers: 86% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that their child is happy at the school, and 89% felt the same about their child feeling safe. The school is clearly popular with local families too — for the 2025/26 intake, it received 58 applications for just 27 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.15. Of those, 26 were first-preference applications, and 26 first-preference offers were made. So if you're considering this school, getting your application in early and as a top choice matters. The school is a Church of England primary for mixed genders aged 3 to 11, with a nursery provision, and is led by headteacher Ann Robinson.

Academically, the picture is more mixed. In its most recent graded inspection in November 2024, Ofsted rated the school as Requires Improvement overall, though it's worth noting that the school was previously rated Outstanding in 2014. The inspection found that the quality of education requires improvement, but behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and early years provision were all judged Good. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 41% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined — well below the Sandwell local authority average of 60%. The school ranks 76th out of 83 primary schools in Sandwell on this measure, placing it in the bottom 50 nationally. However, individual subject scores tell a slightly different story: 63% met the expected standard in reading, 56% in maths, and 50% in writing, with average scores of 103 in reading and 100 in maths.

The school offers a range of facilities including an ICT suite, sensory room, sports hall, dining hall and chapel, plus clubs like science, gardening, drama, eco club and choir. Sports on offer include gymnastics, netball, swimming and tennis. The school's SEND provisions cover moderate learning difficulty, social emotional and mental health needs, speech language and communication needs, physical disability, and other difficulties. With 28% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a community with above-average disadvantage. For families who value a strong parent community and a Church of England ethos, and who are comfortable with a school that's in a period of improvement following its drop from Outstanding, St Mary Magdalene could be a good fit — especially if you live nearby and can secure a place in a competitive admissions round.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents