St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster

About St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Axminster has been rated Good by Ofsted following its most recent graded inspection, a significant improvement from its previous rating of Requires Improvement. The school’s academic story is best told through its Key Stage 2 results: 69% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined in the 2023/24 academic year. That figure sits comfortably above the Devon local authority average of 57%, placing the school 59th out of 309 similar schools in the county. In the East Devon district specifically, it ranks 9th out of 44 primary schools, putting it in the top 20% locally. Average scaled scores in reading and maths both sit at 106, while 81% of pupils reached the expected standard in maths alone. The school also performs well at the higher standard, with 13% of children achieving greater depth across all three core subjects.

The Ofsted inspection in December 2024 confirmed that standards are being maintained, with leadership and management, early years provision, and overall effectiveness all rated Good. The previous graded inspection in 2019 had rated the school Requires Improvement, so the trajectory is clearly positive. Parent feedback is overwhelmingly supportive: 100% of the 30 respondents to the Parent View survey would recommend the school, and 77% strongly agreed that their child is happy there. Strong majorities also strongly agreed that the school supports wider personal development and offers a good range of subjects. The school has a Roman Catholic character and is led by headteacher Rob Meech, with 136 pupils on roll against a capacity of 140. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 14%.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including an ICT suite, library, music rooms, gymnasium, chapel, sensory room, and art studios. Sports provision covers athletics, football, netball, cricket, gymnastics, cross country, and dance, while clubs include gardening, choir, and art club. SEND support is available for social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication, and physical disabilities. Admissions data for 2025/26 shows the school is oversubscribed: 26 applications for 16 places, with all 16 first-preference applicants receiving offers. This is a small, faith-based primary that suits families who value strong academic outcomes relative to the local area, a clear improvement journey, and a close-knit environment where parents report very high levels of satisfaction.

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