St Margaret Ward Catholic Primary School
Sale, M33 4GY · Trafford · primary school
Check the area around this school
44th of 55 primary schools in Trafford we can score, 63 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 — 6.0/10 against 2,066 of them, against 4.9/10 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 | 55.0 · 27 | 40% | 1.10 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 15.0 · 84 | 25% | 2.09 |
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 Ward Catholic Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 55.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 15.0% achieved it against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in February 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.9 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in Multi Sports, Football, Girl's Football, and Multi Skills, attend Forest Schools trips, and can join the breakfast club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 223 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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
What specific support is available for pupils who have not reached the expected standard in maths? How are Forest Schools trips integrated into the regular curriculum?
What Ofsted said about St Margaret Ward Catholic Primary School
Overview
Pupils “thoroughly enjoy learning” at this school, benefiting from a “well-thought-out curriculum” and staff who show significant “care and nurture”. The inspection highlights “exceptional” behaviour, with pupils modelling school values through kindness and respect, while achieving well across all groups, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate “exemplary behaviour” and are “fully attentive in lessons”, creating an environment where learning proceeds without interruption.
- The school prioritises reading effectively, ensuring most pupils become “confident and fluent readers” through skilled staff support and an “enticing library”.
- Attendance is kept high through “remarkable” support for families, including pastoral provision that removes barriers to school attendance.
- Pupils engage in a “vast array of experiences”, developing leadership skills and making a “tangible difference” to their local community through roles such as eco-warriors and buddies.
- Staff receive “high-quality training” and present new learning clearly, while governors provide “effective support and challenge” regarding the quality of education.
Areas to improve
- The school should refine curriculum thinking in some subjects to ensure subject-specific vocabulary is taught effectively, helping pupils “know more and remember more”.
- Assessment strategies in a small number of subjects need strengthening to better identify and address gaps in pupils’ knowledge over time.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective”.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 67% |
| 2023/24 | 69% |
| 2024/25 | 55% |
| 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
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