St Mary's Catholic Primary School
114%
Capacity
240
Pupils
1.4x
Demand
About St Mary's Catholic Primary School
St Mary's Catholic Primary School is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary school serving the Central Bedfordshire community, welcoming children from age 2 to 11. The school has 240 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (114% of 210 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated St Mary's Catholic Primary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Amanda Dowling, it falls under Central Bedfordshire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 63% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — close to the national average. Additionally, ranked 6910th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 11th out of 34 in Central Bedfordshire.
St Mary's Catholic Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 38 applications for 27 places, making it 1.4x oversubscribed. Of these, 28 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 5 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication 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 Art Studios, Playing Fields, Music Rooms, Outdoor Playground, ICT Suite, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Swimming, Football, Netball, Gymnastics, as well as clubs including Chess, Film Club, Drama, Coding and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 23.8%, which is close to the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Central Bedfordshire, St Mary's Catholic Primary School is one of the options available in the East of England 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 | 2 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Dunstable Road, Luton, Central Bedfordshire, LU1 4BB |
| Headteacher | Amanda Dowling |
| Local Authority | Central Bedfordshire |
| Number of Pupils | 240 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 23.8% |
| School Capacity | 240 / 210 (114% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
26 Apr 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 26 Jun 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (63%)
6910th of 13,686
Nationally
746th of 1,612
In East of England
11th of 34
In Central Bedfordshire
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
63%
Expected Standard
7%
Higher Standard
'22/23
61%
'23/24
63%
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
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed27
38
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
28 families put this school as their 1st choice (74% 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
Dunstable Road, Luton
Central Bedfordshire, LU1 4BB
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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