St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle
95%
Capacity
100
Pupils
3.0x
Demand
About St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary school serving the County Durham community, welcoming children from age 3 to 11. The school has 100 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (95% of 105 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle "Good", the school is led by headteacher Lesley Ann Box, it falls under County Durham local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 75% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — well above the national average. Additionally, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Additionally, ranked 2635th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 30th out of 170 in County Durham.
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle is a popular choice with families — it received 39 applications for 13 places, making it 3.0x oversubscribed. Of these, 12 were first-preference applications.
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is overwhelmingly positive, with 97% recommending the school (32 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 7 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 4 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle include Dining Hall, Art Studios, Sports Hall, Forest School, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Athletics, Cricket, Cross Country, Swimming and 3 more, as well as clubs including Science Club, Drama, Book Club, Choir and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 17.3%, which is below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in County Durham, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle is one of the options available in the North East region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 3 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Birch Road, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8JR |
| Headteacher | Lesley Ann Box |
| Local Authority | County Durham |
| Number of Pupils | 100 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 17.3% |
| School Capacity | 100 / 105 (95% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
12 Nov 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (12 Nov 2024): Standards maintained
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 19 Dec 2019. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (75%)
2635th of 13,686
Nationally
139th of 677
In North East
30th of 170
In County Durham
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
75%
Expected Standard
19%
Higher Standard
'22/23
92%
'23/24
75%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
Ofsted Parent View
32 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
5Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
12Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed13
39
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
12 families put this school as their 1st choice (31% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Birch Road, Barnard Castle
County Durham, DL12 8JR
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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