St Mary's Catholic Primary School
86%
Capacity
181
Pupils
2.1x
Demand
About St Mary's Catholic Primary School
St Mary's Catholic Primary School is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary school serving the Dover community, welcoming children from age 5 to 11. The school has 181 pupils on roll and is well-filled (86% of 210 places).
Ofsted has rated St Mary's Catholic Primary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Karen Riddell, it falls under Kent local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 67% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — above the national average. Additionally, ranked 5444th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 16th out of 37 in Dover.
St Mary's Catholic Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 52 applications for 25 places, making it 2.1x oversubscribed. Of these, 24 were first-preference applications.
St Mary's Catholic Primary School has mixed reviews on SchoolParrot (2.2/5 from 3 parents).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 5 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 2 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Mary's Catholic Primary School include Sensory Room, Art Studios, ICT Suite, Outdoor Playground, Library, Gymnasium, Forest School, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Swimming, Athletics, Cross Country, Gymnastics, as well as clubs including Choir, Drama, Art Club.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 29.8%, which is above the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Dover, St Mary's Catholic Primary School is one of the options available in the South 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 | 5 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | St Richard's Road, Deal, Dover, CT14 9LF |
| Headteacher | Karen Riddell |
| Local Authority | Kent |
| Number of Pupils | 181 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 29.8% |
| School Capacity | 181 / 210 (86% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
16 Nov 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 12 Jan 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (67%)
5444th of 13,686
Nationally
757th of 2,034
In South East
16th of 37
In Dover
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
67%
Expected Standard
0%
Higher Standard
'22/23
65%
'23/24
67%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
7Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed25
52
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
24 families put this school as their 1st choice (46% 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
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
St Richard's Road, Deal
Dover, CT14 9LF
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
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