St Nicholas Catholic Primary School
100%
Capacity
326
Pupils
1.2x
Demand
About St Nicholas Catholic Primary School
St Nicholas Catholic Primary School is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary school serving the Exeter community, welcoming children from age 3 to 11. The school has 326 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (100% of 327 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated St Nicholas Catholic Primary School "Requires Improvement", the school is led by headteacher Damian Railston, it falls under Devon local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 46% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 11563rd out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 14th out of 17 in Exeter.
St Nicholas Catholic Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 55 applications for 45 places, making it 1.2x oversubscribed. Of these, 31 were first-preference applications.
St Nicholas Catholic Primary School parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is mixed, with 58% recommending the school (45 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 6 areas, including Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 3 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Nicholas Catholic Primary School include Library, Playing Fields, Music Rooms, Gymnasium, Outdoor Playground, Forest School, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Tennis, Gymnastics, Swimming, Dance and 2 more, as well as clubs including Drama, Coding, Book Club, Film Club.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 15.9%, which is below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Exeter, St Nicholas Catholic Primary School is one of the options available in the South West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 3 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Ringswell Avenue, Exeter, Exeter, EX1 3EG |
| Headteacher | Damian Railston |
| Local Authority | Devon |
| Number of Pupils | 326 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 15.9% |
| School Capacity | 326 / 327 (100% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
24 Sept 2024Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 20 Oct 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (46%)
11563rd of 13,686
Nationally
1154th of 1,469
In South West
14th of 17
In Exeter
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
46%
Expected Standard
5%
Higher Standard
'22/23
58%
'23/24
46%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
Ofsted Parent View
45 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed45
55
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
31 families put this school as their 1st choice (56% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Nicholas Catholic Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Ringswell Avenue, Exeter
Exeter, EX1 3EG
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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