St. Walburga's Catholic Primary School
Bournemouth, BH9 3BY · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole · primary school
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3rd of 50 primary schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole we can score, 66 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 — 10.0/10 against 3,899 of them, against 10.0/10 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 | 98.0 · 100 | 40% | 3.98 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 45.0 · 100 | 25% | 2.50 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St. Walburga's Catholic Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 98.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 45.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (10.0 out of 10 either way). Ofsted rated the school Good in February 2025.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Yoga, Art Shed, French Club, Zumba, and Little Bricks Club, alongside football, tennis, multi-skills, and dodgeball. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 420 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. 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 manage class sizes when the roll is at full capacity? What specific support is available for pupils who do not reach the higher standard? How are the various clubs scheduled to ensure all pupils can participate?
What Ofsted said about St. Walburga's Catholic Primary School
Overview
St. Walburga’s Catholic Primary School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at its previous inspection. The school is described as very well led, with pupils who are polite, articulate, and kind, achieving well across the curriculum. Leaders have driven considerable improvements, particularly in key stage 2, ensuring most pupils leave as highly competent readers, writers, and mathematicians.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from "high-quality support and care" and apply the school’s learning values well, showing respect and effective collaboration.
- The wider curriculum is implemented successfully, with teaching that "builds sequentially year on year," ensuring pupils typically know and remember expected knowledge.
- Staff provide effective pastoral support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who mostly access the curriculum well.
- There is an extensive offer beyond academics, including extra-curricular clubs, trips, and charity work that helps pupils understand the world beyond their immediate experiences.
- Governors carry out their duties effectively, holding the school to account for the quality of education and ensuring staff and pupil well-being.
Areas to improve
- Teaching in key stage 1 does not always provide sufficient practice in essential foundational knowledge, and staff do not consistently address misconceptions, slowing some pupils’ progress.
- The school needs to strengthen how staff use information to enhance curriculum implementation for some pupils with SEND, including more precise lesson sequences and target setting.
- Pupils could deepen their knowledge further in a few subjects, with plans already underway to address this.
Safeguarding
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 | 92% |
| 2023/24 | 90% |
| 2024/25 | 98% |
| 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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