St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Kettering, NN16 0JH · North Northamptonshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
13th of 91 primary schools in North Northamptonshire we can score, 111 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 — 7.4/10 against 2,624 of them, against 6.5/10 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 | 5.0 · 40 | 38% | 1.54 |
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 Church of England Voluntary Aided 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%. For the higher standard, 5.0% achieved it, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join a bike mechanics club, play football or gymnastics, and take part in dance. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 257 pupils against a stated capacity of 266. 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 do not reach the higher standard in maths? What specific activities are included in the after-school club? How are places allocated if demand exceeds the 9 spare spots?
What Ofsted said about St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Overview
St Mary’s is described as a “loving, caring school where children thrive,” underpinned by the principle to “Do everything in love.” Pupils are “respectful,” “kind,” and “supportive of each other,” benefiting from warm relationships with staff who prioritise individual knowledge of every child. The school fosters a secure environment where pupils feel happy and have trusted adults to share worries with.
Strengths
- Reading is actively promoted as a “fundamental life skill,” with pupils enjoying regular reading and benefiting from an effective phonics programme and a well-stocked ‘Reading Well’ library.
- The curriculum is “ambitious” and “carefully crafted” for most subjects, including for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, helping pupils gain a “secure understanding” of concepts.
- Personal development is strengthened through the ‘amazing journey’ curriculum, encouraging resilience, reflection on values, and active community contribution via roles like ‘Worship Warriors’ and the school council.
- Staff well-being is prioritised, with leaders taking steps to “lighten their workload,” while governors maintain a clear vision and ensure statutory responsibilities are met.
Areas to improve
- In a few subjects, the curriculum is not designed well, meaning key knowledge is not identified or revisited often enough, hindering pupils’ ability to remember and connect learning.
- Learning activities in some subjects do not match the intended curriculum, limiting the depth of knowledge pupils can acquire and preventing them from achieving consistently well.
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 | 53% |
| 2023/24 | 74% |
| 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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