St Mary's Catholic Primary Academy
Halifax, HX1 2ER · Calderdale · primary school
Check the area around this school
43rd of 76 primary schools in Calderdale we can score, 81 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 — 5.5/10 against 2,393 of them, against 4.6/10 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 | 62.0 · 44 | 62% | 2.68 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 7.0 · 51 | 38% | 1.95 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Mary's Catholic Primary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 62.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 7.0% of pupils, matching the national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.6 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join a beachball club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 272 pupils against a stated capacity of 315. 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 are the specific entry criteria for the current academic year? How does the school structure its daily timetable to balance academic instruction with physical activities?
What Ofsted said about St Mary's Catholic Primary Academy
Overview
St Mary’s Catholic Primary Academy is described as a ‘happy place where pupils thrive’, with leaders maintaining ‘high expectations’ that are ‘largely realised’. The school fosters a respectful environment where pupils celebrate differences and demonstrate kindness, supported by an ‘ambitious’ curriculum and effective staff training.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘ambitious’ and logically ordered, with particular improvements noted in subjects such as history and design technology.
- Staff are ‘highly skilled at teaching phonics’, and robust support ensures pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) ‘access and enjoy learning alongside their peers’.
- Pupils exhibit ‘positive attitudes’ and are ‘deeply respectful’, with bullying being ‘rare’ and concerns addressed quickly by adults.
- The personal, social and health education curriculum is ‘well designed’, helping pupils understand safety, consent, and mental health through techniques like mindfulness.
- Governance is effective, with the trust providing ‘bespoke support’ and staff feeling ‘valued, well trained and respected’.
Areas to improve
- Teachers do not always check what pupils know carefully enough, leading to work that is ‘not well matched to their needs’ and misunderstandings that are not addressed quickly.
- Attendance strategies are not reaching some disadvantaged pupils, meaning persistent absence remains ‘too high’ for this group.
- Adult interactions in the early years do not consistently challenge children to use their growing vocabulary, so language development is not as strong as it could be.
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 | 58% |
| 2023/24 | 60% |
| 2024/25 | 62% |
| 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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