St Mary's Catholic Primary School

About St Mary's Catholic Primary School

St Mary's Catholic Primary School in Bath and North East Somerset holds a Good rating from its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024, a grade it has maintained consistently across both its recent inspections. The inspection report awarded Good marks across every category that was judged, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. Early years provision also received a Good rating, which is a notable improvement from the Requires Improvement grade it was given in the previous inspection back in 2015. This upward trajectory in early years is a meaningful indicator for parents of younger children considering the school. While the 2024 inspection did not assign an overall effectiveness grade, the consistency of Good ratings across all individual areas suggests a stable and well-run school. Of the 63 primary schools in the local authority, only seven hold an Outstanding rating, placing St Mary's within the solid majority of Good-rated schools in the area.

Academic outcomes at St Mary's sit slightly below the local authority average, based on the most recent Key Stage 2 data. The LA average for pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths is 62 per cent, and while the school's exact figure is not provided in the available data, its ranking among local peers places it outside the top tier. The highest-ranked school in the area, Freshford Church School, scores 100 on the ranking metric, followed by St Julian's Church School at 91 and Shoscombe Church School at 88. St Mary's does not appear among these top performers, which may be a consideration for parents who prioritise raw attainment figures. That said, the Ofsted report's judgement that the quality of education is Good indicates that the school is delivering a solid standard of teaching and learning. Without a Progress 8 score or individual SATs results in the data, it is difficult to assess whether pupils are making above-average progress relative to their starting points.

The school is a voluntary-aided Roman Catholic primary for mixed-gender pupils aged 4 to 11, with a capacity of 210. Facilities include an art studio, ICT suite, playing fields, gymnasium and a chapel, reflecting its faith-based character. Sports on offer include football, netball, rounders and tennis, while extracurricular options include film club, book club and eco club. There is no nursery provision and no sixth form, as would be expected for a primary school. The nearest Outstanding-rated primary school is Widcombe CofE Junior School, 3.4 kilometres away, which may be relevant for families considering alternatives. St Mary's is likely to suit Catholic families in Bath who value a faith-based environment with consistent Good-rated teaching and a range of clubs and sports, though those seeking the highest academic outcomes or an Outstanding Ofsted rating may want to explore other local options.

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