St Mary's CofE Primary School

About St Mary's CofE Primary School

St Mary's CofE Primary School in Shropshire is a state primary for mixed pupils aged 5 to 11, with a Church of England character. The school currently has 186 pupils against a capacity of 210, meaning it is not yet full, but demand is strong. For the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 57 total applications for 25 places, making it oversubscribed with a ratio of 2.28 applicants per place. All 25 first-preference applicants were offered a spot. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 7.5%, which is notably lower than the national average for primary schools, suggesting a relatively affluent local intake. The school is led by headteacher Nathalie Milhavy-Jones, who oversees a community that draws families from across the Shropshire area.

Academically, St Mary's performs well above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 70% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Shropshire LA average of 59%. This places the school 23rd out of 88 primary schools in the county, putting it in the top 27% locally. Nationally, it ranks 4,100th out of 13,686 schools, or the top 30%. Individual subject scores are strong: 93% of pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, 85% in writing, and 78% in maths. Higher attainment is also solid, with 22% reaching the higher standard in reading, 15% in writing, and 11% in maths. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection in January 2024 confirmed it remains Good overall, with Good ratings for leadership and management and overall effectiveness, a clear improvement from its Requires Improvement grade in 2012.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a library, gymnasium, playing fields, ICT suite, and a chapel. Sports provision covers gymnastics, swimming, netball, cricket, cross country, and rounders, while clubs include science, chess, book club, and drama. For SEND, the school supports a broad spectrum of needs, including specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate and severe learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language communication difficulties, and physical disabilities. With its oversubscribed status and strong KS2 outcomes, St Mary's is a popular choice for local families who prioritise academic attainment within a Church of England setting. The school does not have a nursery or sixth form, so it suits families looking for a primary-only option from Reception through Year 6.

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