St Mary's Catholic Primary School

About St Mary's Catholic Primary School

St Mary's Catholic Primary School sits in the London borough of Merton, where it ranks third out of 42 primary schools on the key stage two expected standard measure. That puts it in the top five per cent of primaries locally, behind only Benedict Academy and Park Academy, with Merton Park Primary School close behind. The school is one of ten primaries in the borough rated Outstanding by Ofsted in their most recent graded inspection, though St Mary's itself currently holds a Good rating. Its nearest Outstanding-rated neighbour is Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, just 0.6 kilometres away. With a Roman Catholic character and a headteacher, David McCabe, leading a mixed-gender state primary for pupils aged three to eleven, the school serves 427 children against a capacity of 440. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 8.9 per cent, below the national average, and the school offers nursery provision.

Academically, St Mary's performs well above the Merton local authority average. In the 2023/24 key stage two assessments, 88 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the LA average of 68 per cent. The school's ranking score of 88 places it in the top five per cent nationally, and in the top eight per cent of London primaries. Reading scores are particularly strong, with an average scaled score of 110 and 47 per cent of pupils achieving the higher standard. In maths, the average score is 108, with 38 per cent reaching the higher threshold. Writing sees 26 per cent at the higher standard, and 90 per cent at expected. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection in December 2021 rated behaviour and attitudes as Outstanding, while overall effectiveness, quality of education, early years provision, personal development and leadership and management were all judged Good.

The school offers a range of facilities including a sensory room, forest school area, library, outdoor playground and a chapel. Sports provision covers swimming, netball, football, rounders, cricket and gymnastics, while clubs include drama, choir, film club, book club, chess and eco club. SEND support is broad, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate and severe learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, multi-sensory impairment, autistic spectrum disorder and other difficulties. Admissions for 2025/26 show the school is oversubscribed, with 60 places available and 181 total applications, a ratio of 3.02 applicants per place. Of 46 first-preference applications, 45 received offers. This is a school that suits families seeking strong academic outcomes within a Catholic faith context, with good SEND support and a wide extracurricular offer, but securing a place requires a first-preference application.

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