St Mary's Primary School, A Catholic Voluntary Academy

About St Mary's Primary School, A Catholic Voluntary Academy

St Mary's Primary School, a Catholic voluntary academy in Sheffield, sits comfortably within the top 25 per cent of primary schools in the local authority, ranking 16th out of 106 schools on the key stage 2 expected standard measure. That places it just behind the top-performing peers in the area, such as Dobcroft Junior School, Totley Primary School and Angram Bank Primary School, but well ahead of the majority of Sheffield primaries. With 176 pupils on roll against a capacity of 210, the school is not at full capacity, yet it is clearly popular: for the 2025/26 intake, it received 43 applications for 22 places, with 21 of those coming as first preferences. That oversubscription ratio of nearly 2:1 suggests strong local demand, particularly from Catholic families, given the school's Roman Catholic character. Headteacher Alexandra Healy leads a school that has held a Good rating from Ofsted since at least 2011, with the most recent ungraded inspection in 2021 confirming it remains Good.

Academically, St Mary's performs well above the Sheffield local authority average. In the 2023/24 key stage 2 assessments, 74 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a LA average of 57 per cent. The school's ranking score of 74 reflects this strength. Reading is a particular standout: 93 per cent of pupils met the expected standard and 44 per cent achieved the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 108. Maths also performed well, with 85 per cent at the expected level and an average score of 106. Writing and maths both saw 85 per cent reach the expected standard, though the proportion reaching the higher standard in writing was lower at 11 per cent. The school's most recent graded inspection in 2011 rated overall effectiveness as Good, with leadership and management also Good, while early years provision was judged Outstanding. The 2021 ungraded inspection noted the school remains Good, with early years provision again singled out as Outstanding.

The school offers a range of facilities that support both academic and personal development, including a library, art studios, a sensory room, a chapel and a forest school area. Sports provision includes netball, swimming, cross country and rounders, while clubs such as choir, book club and gardening add breadth. St Mary's has a well-documented SEND offer, with provisions for specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. The school does not have a nursery or sixth form, and is not a boarding school. For Catholic families in Sheffield seeking a primary school with strong academic outcomes, a clear faith character and a supportive SEND framework, St Mary's is a compelling option. Its oversubscription means early application is advisable, particularly for those wanting a first-preference place.

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