St Mary's Catholic Primary School
Brighton, BN41 1LB · Brighton and Hove · primary school
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14th of 42 primary schools in Brighton and Hove we can score, 47 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 — 4.6/10 against 2,601 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 | 63.0 · 46 | 40% | 1.85 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 3.0 · 29 | 25% | 0.73 |
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 overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 63.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 3.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in October 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.0 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join football, netball, tag rugby, basketball, cricket and athletics teams. The school also provides a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 208 pupils against a stated capacity of 218. 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 close to the expected standard in maths? What specific activities are included in the after-school club? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2023 inspection?
What Ofsted said about St Mary's Catholic Primary School
Overview
This ungraded inspection confirms the school remains ‘good’, though evidence suggests it might achieve ‘outstanding’ if a graded inspection were conducted now. Pupils are described as ‘enthusiastic and attentive learners’ who ‘thrive’ in an environment characterised by ‘high expectations’ and ‘exemplary’ behaviour. The report highlights a strong sense of community, with families providing ‘overwhelmingly positive’ feedback.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘clearly sequenced’, ‘ambitious’, and ‘relevant’, incorporating local history and robust support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Teaching is ‘highly effective’, utilising structured methods like ‘six steps to successful learning’ and ‘I do, we do, you do’ to ensure pupils ‘achieve highly’.
- Personal development is ‘exceptional’, with pupils demonstrating impressive knowledge of equality and diversity and being ‘extremely well prepared to face challenges in life’.
- Reading provision is strong, with staff delivering phonics ‘with expertise’ and older pupils receiving targeted support to become ‘skilled and fluent readers’.
- Staff and governors are ‘knowledgeable’, with a ‘shared passion’ for preparing pupils for their next steps and a strong focus on staff well-being.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with governors understanding their statutory responsibilities and routinely checking procedures.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 76% |
| 2023/24 | 66% |
| 2024/25 | 63% |
| 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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