St Mary's CofE Primary School

About St Mary's CofE Primary School

St Mary's CofE Primary School in Waltham Forest is a state primary for mixed pupils aged 5 to 11, and it is clearly a popular choice among local families. The school has 578 pupils on roll against a capacity of 630, so it is running close to full but with a small amount of headroom. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 12.1%, which is notably lower than the national average for primary schools, suggesting the intake draws from a relatively less disadvantaged demographic than many schools nationally. Demand is high: for the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 202 total applications for 90 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.24. Of those, 113 were first-preference applications, and 89 first-preference offers were made, meaning almost every first-choice applicant secured a place, but competition remains strong for the remaining spots.

Academically, St Mary's performs exceptionally well. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 94% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, far exceeding the local authority average of 74%. The proportion reaching the higher standard in all three subjects was 41%, which is very strong. In reading, 61% achieved the higher standard, with an average score of 111; in maths, 62% hit the higher mark, also with an average score of 111; and in writing, 58% reached the higher standard. The school ranks 3rd out of 48 primary schools in Waltham Forest, placing it in the top 5% locally, and 107th nationally out of 13,686 schools — that puts it in the top 1% of all primary schools in England. Its most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2022 confirmed the school remains Outstanding, with leadership, management, early years provision and overall effectiveness all graded Outstanding.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including art studios, music rooms, a gymnasium, an ICT suite, a chapel and an outdoor playground. Sports on offer include athletics, cricket, dance, tennis and football, while clubs cover science, book club, drama and choir. SEND provision is comprehensive, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate to severe learning difficulties, speech and language needs, hearing and visual impairments, autistic spectrum disorder and social, emotional and mental health needs. This is a school that suits families who prioritise strong academic outcomes and a church-affiliated setting, but who are also comfortable with a large, oversubscribed primary that requires early application. Given its Outstanding rating and high local ranking, it is a realistic target for families living within the catchment area, though the oversubscription ratio means it is not a guaranteed place for all applicants.

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