St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland
Sunderland, SR2 7QN · Sunderland · primary school
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8th of 73 primary schools in Sunderland 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 9.9/10 against 3,194 of them, against 9.9/10 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 | 95.0 · 99 | 40% | 3.97 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 31.0 · 98 | 25% | 2.46 |
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, Sunderland overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 95.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 31.0%, against a national median of 7%. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (9.9 out of 10 either way). Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2025.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join Eco Club, Gardening Club, Mini Vinnies, School Choir, and School Council. Sports include football, netball, swimming, the Daily Mile, and Sports Leaders. Trips include a visit to Derwent Hill.
Getting in
The published school roll is 472 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. 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 do not reach the higher standard? How are the named clubs scheduled to ensure broad participation?
What Ofsted said about St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland
Overview
This ungraded inspection found that St Mary’s Catholic Primary School has “improved significantly across all areas” since its previous graded inspection. Consequently, the school’s next inspection will be a graded one. The report highlights a “peaceful and harmonious learning environment” where pupils are “proud, polite and respectful” and demonstrate a “tangible love of learning.”
Strengths
- Leaders have developed an “exceptional curriculum” that allows pupils of all ages to “achieve highly,” with “comprehensive” systems for identifying needs.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive “effective support from skilled adults,” enabling them to “achieve exceptionally well.”
- The school’s “BREW” principles (belief, rights, environment, well-being) are “skilfully and impressively established” and “explicitly woven into the curriculum.”
- Early years provision promotes a “love of songs, rhymes, poems and stories,” helping children develop “firm and secure foundations” in phonics and number skills.
- Staff are “motivated and happy,” with leaders taking “staff’s workload and well-being into account” when making key decisions.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
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 | 87% |
| 2023/24 | 90% |
| 2024/25 | 95% |
| 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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