St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster
Axminster, EX13 5BE · Devon · primary school
Check the area around this school
202nd of 279 primary schools in Devon we can score, 309 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 the 4,195 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.6/10 among them, against 1.6/10 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 | 21.0 · 1 | 40% | 0.05 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 5.0 · 40 | 25% | 1.00 |
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 School, Axminster overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 21.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the figure was 5.0% against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2025. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.6 out of 10 among them, against 1.6 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in a String Orchestra, Choir, and Instrumental Lessons. Sports include Cross Country, Netball, Indoor Athletics, Dodgeball, Gymnastics, Football, Tennis, and Cricket. The school also organises trips, such as 'We are the Curious'.
Getting in
The published school roll is 136 pupils against a stated capacity of 140. 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 to bridge the gap between the current 21.0% attainment rate and the national median? What specific strategies are in place to improve the higher standard results? How does the recent Ofsted inspection influence current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster
Overview
This ungraded inspection confirms that St Mary’s Catholic Primary School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The school provides a “calm and orderly” learning environment where pupils enjoy a “well-structured curriculum” and develop strong personal qualities. Overall, the report presents a positive picture of a school where staff are proud and parents are “overwhelmingly positive” about the provision.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from a “well-designed curriculum” that enables them to “build incrementally on their prior knowledge.”
- Reading is highly prioritised, with a “well-taught phonics programme” ensuring pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), learn to read well.
- The school identifies the needs of pupils with SEND “effectively,” providing “very strong support” for speech and language development.
- Behaviour is managed “very well,” fostering “very strong” relationships between staff and pupils who describe the school as a “special place.”
- Personal development is “strong,” with pupils learning to be “kind, respectful and welcoming” and developing compassion through charity work.
Areas to improve
- Staff do not routinely use assessment information with “precision” in some subjects within the wider curriculum.
- Consequently, staff do not always adapt teaching methods to ensure all pupils have “secure knowledge before moving on to more complex concepts.”
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 | 65% |
| 2023/24 | 69% |
| 2024/25 | 21% |
| 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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