St Mary's Catholic Primary School
Whitehaven, CA28 9PG · Cumberland · primary school
Check the area around this school
5th of 119 primary schools in Cumberland we can score, 145 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 — 8.6/10 against 3,004 of them, against 7.8/10 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 | 76.0 · 80 | 62% | 4.91 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 12.0 · 74 | 38% | 2.84 |
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, 76.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 12.0%, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join the Phunky Foods after-school club, Lego Day, Wheelchair Basketball, Cross Country, Kung Fu, and Dance Workshops. Trips include visits to Robinwood. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 195 pupils against a stated capacity of 180. 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 offered to pupils who do not reach the expected standard? How are the after-school clubs structured for younger children?
What Ofsted said about St Mary's Catholic Primary School
Overview
Pupils "love attending this school" and demonstrate "consistently high levels of respect" within a calm, cohesive environment. The school delivers an "ambitious and engaging curriculum" with "exceptional" early years provision, ensuring children make rapid gains from the start. Leaders maintain high expectations for attendance and achievement, fostering pupils who are "exceptionally well prepared for life beyond school."
Strengths
- Behaviour is described as "exemplary," with pupils independently supporting each other and acting as "happiness ninjas" to spread joy.
- Early years provision is "exceptional," featuring a "meticulously designed" curriculum that builds learning over time.
- Reading is central to the school; staff are "skilled at delivering the school’s early reading programme," and struggling pupils are supported to "catch up rapidly."
- Pupils develop as "confident communicators" through focused work on language skills and key vocabulary.
- The school offers an "impressive range of experiences," including trips to contrasting locations and enterprise projects that broaden knowledge.
Areas to improve
- In a "small number of recently revised subjects," key learning is still being refined, making it difficult to design activities that "focus sharply on securing and deepening pupils’ knowledge."
- The school must further refine these subjects to ensure work consistently supports pupils in "developing the depth of knowledge they need for the next stage in their education."
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 | 79% |
| 2023/24 | 78% |
| 2024/25 | 76% |
| 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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