St Marychurch Church of England Primary and Nursery School
Torquay, TQ1 4QH · Torbay · primary school
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22nd of 30 primary schools in Torbay we can score, 31 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 — 2.2/10 against 2,600 of them, against 2.4/10 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 | 53.0 · 24 | 40% | 0.96 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 2.0 · 24 | 25% | 0.59 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Marychurch Church of England Primary and Nursery School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 53.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 2.0% reached the higher standard, 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 (2.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in football, netball, swimming, quicksticks, and indoor athletics.
Getting in
The published school roll is 241 pupils against a stated capacity of 315. 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 maths? What specific strategies are used to raise attainment to the higher standard? How does the curriculum balance academic rigour with the wide range of sports offered?
What Ofsted said about St Marychurch Church of England Primary and Nursery School
Overview
Pupils at St Marychurch are described as “vibrant and confident individuals” who are “proud of their school.” The report highlights “rapid improvement in the quality of education” following leadership changes, noting that the “strong and nurturing relationships between staff and pupils” are a key strength. Parents have given “high praise” for improved communication, and the school is viewed as an inclusive community where pupils embody values of “love, joy, peace and kindness.”
Strengths
- Pupils conduct themselves well and value rewards for positive behaviour, meeting the school’s “high expectations.”
- The curriculum is “implemented well” with “secure subject knowledge” among teachers, particularly in reading and mathematics.
- Early years provision is effective, with staff encouraging curiosity and developing language skills through “well-considered questioning.”
- Safeguarding arrangements are “effective,” and the school supports pupils’ mental health and diversity awareness.
- Parents and carers welcome recent changes, describing staff as “an army of angels.”
Areas to improve
- Expectations for writing are “not consistently high enough,” and errors are not always addressed quickly, hindering progress.
- Adaptations for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are “not always precise enough,” sometimes being “too generic.”
- The curriculum is “not as well embedded in some areas as it is in others,” meaning some pupils do not learn as well as others.
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 | 26% |
| 2023/24 | 40% |
| 2024/25 | 53% |
| 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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