St Margaret's Primary Academy
Lowestoft, NR32 4JF · Suffolk · primary school
Check the area around this school
169th of 232 primary schools in Suffolk we can score, 253 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 5.3/10 against 1,294 of them, against 4.0/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 51.0 · 21 | 40% | 0.83 |
| Ofsted | 12 | 35% | 0.40 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 11.0 · 71 | 25% | 1.77 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Margaret's Primary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 51.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the school recorded 11.0% against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.0 out of 10 against all schools). An Ofsted inspection took place in April 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join a choir and participate in colour runs, fixtures, the Santa Dash, Sports Day, Skipathon, and Panathlon events. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 364 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who are below the expected standard in maths? What specific activities are included in the after-school club? How does the new Ofsted framework affect daily teaching practices?
What Ofsted said about St Margaret's Primary Academy
Overview
St Margaret’s Primary Academy is described as a “welcoming school” where pupils are “happy and enjoy learning.” The report highlights that leaders provide “clear and purposeful leadership” and that the school has made significant improvements following recent changes in staffing. Pupils achieve well, with the attainment gap for disadvantaged pupils closing, and they are “well prepared for the next stage of their education.”
Strengths
- The “wide-ranging personal development programme” is “carefully planned and well led,” fostering tolerance, democracy, and high aspirations.
- Staff build “trusting relationships” with pupils and parents, creating a “calm, supportive and orderly environment” where bullying is addressed “quickly and effectively.”
- The curriculum is “ambitious” and “logically ordered,” with a “strong focus on establishing secure foundations” in phonics and early years.
- Inclusion is “welcoming,” with “well thought through” support plans ensuring pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are “fully included in day-to-day school life.”
- Attendance is “improving for many pupils” due to a “thoughtfully revised approach” that provides practical support for barriers to regular attendance.
Areas to improve
- Teachers should “check pupils’ understanding across the curriculum and address misconceptions quickly,” particularly in subjects beyond English and mathematics.
- Leaders should ensure “consistency in the adaptations provided across the curriculum” to help all pupils succeed and build independence.
- Leaders should continue to work with parents and carers to encourage them to “take up the support available.”
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an “open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility” ensuring pupils are “made safer and feel safe.”
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 67% |
| 2023/24 | 65% |
| 2024/25 | 51% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of NR32 4JF, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT