Wakefield St Marys Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Wakefield, WF1 4PE · Wakefield · primary school
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71st of 98 primary schools in Wakefield we can score, 113 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 — 2.3/10 against 2,330 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 | 57.0 · 32 | 40% | 1.29 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| 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.
Wakefield St Marys Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 57.0% 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 (2.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2023.
Getting in
The published school roll is 255 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
Since the 2023 inspection is now two years old, what specific improvements have been made to raise attainment since then? How does the school support pupils who are working towards the expected standard in core subjects?
What Ofsted said about Wakefield St Marys Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Overview
The inspection confirms that Wakefield St Marys Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School continues to be a ‘good school’. Pupils ‘flourish in this happy, caring and harmonious school’, benefiting from ‘exceptional’ behaviour and strong relationships with staff. Leaders are described as ‘ambitious for all pupils’, having developed a ‘wide-ranging curriculum’ designed to reflect the diverse community.
Strengths
- Pupils ‘behave exceptionally well’ and ‘engage in their lessons enthusiastically’, with bullying being a ‘rare event’.
- The school provides ‘very well’ for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, ensuring most can access the same work as their peers.
- Reading is a clear priority, with a ‘carefully sequenced programme’ for phonics and a developed library to support early readers.
- Staff are ‘proud to work at the school’ and support the ‘unflinching’ commitment of senior leaders, while governors provide effective ‘support and challenge’.
- Personal development is a priority, with a ‘strong personal, social and health education curriculum’ enriched by educational trips.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure the curriculum gives pupils sufficient opportunities to ‘use and deepen their mathematical knowledge through reasoning and solving problems’.
- Curriculum plans in some foundation subjects must ‘clearly specify key knowledge that pupils are expected to learn’ to ensure teachers know what pupils should remember.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, underpinned by a ‘strong culture of safeguarding and pastoral work’ and the school’s Christian ethos.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 34% |
| 2023/24 | 43% |
| 2024/25 | 57% |
| 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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