St Mary's Catholic Primary School
Ryde, PO33 1LJ · Isle of Wight · primary school
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18th of 35 primary schools in Isle of Wight we can score, 36 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 3.1/10 against 3,508 of them, against 3.5/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 48.0 · 16 | 62% | 1.00 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 10.0 · 66 | 38% | 2.54 |
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, 48.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 10.0% achieved it, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (3.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club for wraparound care.
Getting in
The published school roll is 182 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
How does the school support pupils who are below the expected standard in core subjects? What specific activities are available during the after-school club? How does the school monitor progress for pupils in the top 10%?
What Ofsted said about St Mary's Catholic Primary School
Overview
St Mary’s is described as a “warm and welcoming school” where pupils demonstrate the mission of “live, love, believe” through kindness and respect. The report highlights a “dogged focus on improvement” since the previous inspection, resulting in a curriculum that helps pupils deepen their understanding, though clarity in some subjects remains inconsistent.
Strengths
- Pupils show “positive attitudes in lessons” and behave with “maturity,” creating a “calm and purposeful environment.”
- The phonics programme is “embedded successfully,” with most pupils reading with “fluency and confidence.”
- Staff “swiftly identify and meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND),” enabling them to access the same curriculum as peers.
- Personal development is praised for being “highly comprehensive,” helping pupils grow into “very well-rounded individuals” through debates, outdoor learning, and diverse opportunities.
- The federated governing board maintains “effective oversight” of the school’s strategic direction.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects and the early years, “important knowledge pupils should learn is not defined as clearly as it could be,” hindering precise teaching.
- Systems to check pupil understanding are not always used effectively, meaning “pupils’ learning is not always secured in a timely way.”
- While most pupils attend regularly, the school must continue taking “effective action to improve pupils’ attendance” for those who do not.
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 | 48% |
| 2023/24 | 67% |
| 2024/25 | 48% |
| 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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