St Marys Church of England Primary Academy

About St Marys Church of England Primary Academy

St Marys Church of England Primary Academy in Leeds is a state primary for children aged 5 to 11, currently home to 219 pupils against a capacity of 315. That means the school is running at roughly 70 per cent capacity, which is notable given the strong demand for places. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 67 applications for just 25 places, making it oversubscribed with an oversubscription ratio of 2.68. Of those 67 applicants, 23 were first-preference choices, and all 23 received offers. The school serves a community with a high level of disadvantage: 37.9 per cent of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average. This context matters when interpreting the school’s academic results and Ofsted rating, as schools with higher FSM percentages often face additional challenges. The school’s religious character is Church of England, and it is led by headteacher Jessica Crisp.

Academically, St Marys is currently rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted following its most recent graded inspection in September 2024. The breakdown shows a mixed picture: leadership and management, and the quality of education, both require improvement, while behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and early years provision are all rated Good. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, just 36 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Leeds local authority average of 61 per cent. Only 6 per cent achieved the higher standard in those three subjects. Individual subject scores were stronger in writing, where 67 per cent met the expected standard, and maths, where 61 per cent did, but reading lagged at 53 per cent. The school ranks 196th out of 204 primary schools in Leeds, placing it in the bottom 50 per cent nationally. Parent View responses from 25 parents in the 2024/25 period show 80 per cent would recommend the school, and 100 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that their child does well here.

The school offers a range of facilities including a gymnasium, library, playing fields, art studios, a sensory room and a chapel. Sports provision covers gymnastics, cricket, dance, netball and football, while clubs include gardening, book club, drama, choir, coding and chess. SEND support is available for pupils with specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs. The school’s oversubscription suggests it is a popular choice locally, particularly among families who value its Church of England character and its focus on personal development, which Ofsted rates as Good. However, the Requires Improvement rating for quality of education and leadership means parents should weigh the academic outcomes carefully. For families whose children need strong SEND support or who prioritise a school that feels safe and happy — 96 per cent of parents agreed their child feels safe — St Marys may still be a good fit, especially given the high demand for places.

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