St Mary's CofE Primary School, Penzance
Penzance, TR18 4HP · Cornwall · primary school
Check the area around this school
150th of 218 primary schools in Cornwall we can score, 236 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 — 2.5/10 against 2,104 of them, against 2.5/10 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 | 40.0 · 8 | 40% | 0.32 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 7.0 · 51 | 25% | 1.27 |
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 CofE Primary School, Penzance overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 40.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 7.0% of pupils, matching the 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 (2.5 out of 10 either way). Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in sports days, inter-school leagues, county games, and intra-school competitions. They join St Piran's Choir and attend Song Fest 2025, with trips to Minnack Theatre. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 141 pupils against a stated capacity of 190. 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 support is available for children who need extra help with reading or maths? How does the after-school club integrate with the main school day?
What Ofsted said about St Mary's CofE Primary School, Penzance
Overview
St Mary’s CofE Primary School continues to be a good school, where pupils are "polite, well-mannered and respectful." The environment is described as "calm and orderly," with students who are "keen to learn" and demonstrate positive attitudes towards their education.
Strengths
- Pupils enjoy attending school and work well together, with bullying and poor behaviour being "unusual."
- The curriculum is "ambitious in its aims," fostering qualities such as "perseverance, generosity and courage."
- Staff effectively teach phonics, ensuring children are "ready to learn to read" and providing targeted support for those who do not read fluently.
- Leaders accurately identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), enabling them to "follow the same curriculum as their classmates."
- Staff morale is high, with leaders ensuring a "positive work-life balance" and providing strong support.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must clearly identify the important knowledge pupils need to remember over the long term in every subject, particularly in history, where this has not been done carefully enough.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff well trained to identify risks and leaders maintaining effective systems to record concerns.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 46% |
| 2023/24 | 40% |
| 2024/25 | 40% |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of TR18 4HP, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT