St Mary's Community Primary School, Beetley
Dereham, NR20 4BW · Norfolk · primary school
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271st of 281 primary schools in Norfolk we can score, 343 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 — 0.1/10 against 3,892 of them, against 0.5/10 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 | 28.0 · 2 | 40% | 0.09 |
| Ofsted | 3 | 35% | 0.10 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
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 Community Primary School, Beetley overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 28.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0%, 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 (0.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.5 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school "Requires improvement" in November 2023.
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 156 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 plan to improve attainment in maths following the 2023 inspection? What specific support is available for pupils who have not reached the expected standard? How do the breakfast and after-school clubs operate on a typical day?
What Ofsted said about St Mary's Community Primary School, Beetley
Overview
The inspection judged the school’s overall effectiveness as ‘Requires improvement’, noting that while pupils generally feel safe and enjoy school, inconsistencies in teaching and behaviour management hinder progress. Leaders are working to address past staffing turbulence, with early years provision rated ‘Good’ and attendance improving significantly.
Strengths
- Early years provision is ‘Good’, with a ‘clear and well-monitored programme of phonics’ helping younger pupils make good progress in reading.
- Pupils ‘feel safe’ and ‘trust adults to act if they are worried about something’, with ‘unkind language’ being rare and not tolerated.
- Attendance has ‘improved significantly’ and is now similar to other primary schools nationally.
- There have been improvements in support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including effective work with external partners.
- Pupils enjoy a range of activities outside the school day and take on responsibilities such as roles on the school council.
Areas to improve
- Staff must ‘rigorously apply’ the behaviour policy in all classes, as expectations are currently ‘not high enough’ and some pupils disrupt learning.
- Leaders must provide sufficient professional development to ensure staff have the subject training needed to deliver the curriculum effectively.
- Assessment systems need to be more robust and consistent so that subject leaders have accurate information on pupil progress and pupils know how to improve.
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 | 41% |
| 2023/24 | 21% |
| 2024/25 | 28% |
| 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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