SchoolScoresOur Lady's Catholic Primary School, Barnstaple
Academy · Primary, ages 2 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Nursery class
Part of PLYMOUTH CAST
Chanters Hill, Barnstaple, EX32 8DN
01271 345164 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 4 March 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
44 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Barnstaple comparisons use the 9 of its 24 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 15 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Barnstaple | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 8th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Barnstaple. Higher than 11% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 89% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 8th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Barnstaple. Higher than 3% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 75% | 89% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 8th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Barnstaple. Higher than 1% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 52% | 77% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 24 parents whose child had been bullied 4th highest of 6 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Barnstaple. Higher than 36% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 49% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 32 parents who had raised a concern Joint 7th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Barnstaple. Higher than 17% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 76% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 8th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Barnstaple. Higher than 8% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70%said yes | 81% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 20%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Barnstaple figures pool parents at the Barnstaple schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
32 pupils in this year group.
50% — 9 points below the Devon average, and 12 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 50% | 59% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 9% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 69% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 75% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 59% | 72% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Devon. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 24 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 24 |
| Of those, offered a place | 24 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 31 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Roman Catholic school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 5th highest of 24 state primary schools in Barnstaple. Higher than 71% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 32.8% | 20.0%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 7th highest of 24 state primary schools in Barnstaple. Higher than 62% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.6% | 3.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 13th highest of 24 state primary schools in Barnstaple. Higher than 54% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.8% | 15.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 24 state primary schools in Barnstaple. Higher than 62% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 16.1% | 6.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 9th lowest of 24 state primary schools in Barnstaple. Lower than 51% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.0% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 11th lowest of 24 state primary schools in Barnstaple. Lower than 52% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 11.3% | 10.9%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 12th lowest of 24 state primary schools in Barnstaple. Lower than 26% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 3.1 | 3.3 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 12th lowest of 24 state primary schools in Barnstaple. Lower than 22% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.8% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 4th highest of 24 state primary schools in Barnstaple. Higher than 72% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.5 | 20.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 9th highest of 24 state primary schools in Barnstaple. Higher than 40% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.2 | 10.6 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 13th highest of 15 state primary schools in Barnstaple. Higher than 24% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 5.6% | 17.8%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Ashleigh CofE Primary School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 79% met expected standard (KS2)
- Yeo Valley Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 43% met expected standard (KS2)
- Eden Park Academy 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023) · 54% met expected standard (KS2)
- Newport Community School Primary Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 52% met expected standard (KS2)
- Pilton Infants' Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- Pilton Bluecoat CofE Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- Orchard Vale Community School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 51% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sticklepath Community Primary Academy 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bishops Tawton Primary School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 54% met expected standard (KS2)
- Goodleigh CofE Primary School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, Barnstaple's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 4 March 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, Barnstaple do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 50% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 12 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, Barnstaple?
70% of the 44 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, Barnstaple to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, Barnstaple oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 24 families put Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, Barnstaple as their first choice for 24 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 24 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 140739.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.