SchoolScoresSt Margaret Ward Catholic Primary School
Voluntary aided school · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Nursery class
Cherry Lane, Sale, M33 4GY
0161 969 9852 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 21 November 2023.
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 | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| 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
75 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Sale comparisons use the 11 of its 18 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 7 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 | Sale | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 1st highest of 11 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sale. Higher than 82% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 97% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 3rd highest of 11 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sale. Higher than 76% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 99% | 97% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 5th highest of 11 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sale. Higher than 73% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 94% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 17 parents whose child had been bullied 8th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sale. Higher than 31% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 47% | 61% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 43 parents who had raised a concern 8th highest of 10 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sale. Higher than 52% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 89% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 8th highest of 11 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sale. Higher than 52% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92%said yes | 94% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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. Sale figures pool parents at the Sale 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
33 pupils in this year group.
55% — 17 points below the Trafford average, and 7 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Trafford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 55% | 72% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 15% | 15% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 82% | 84% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 79% | 79% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 58% | 82% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 108 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 108 | 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 Trafford. 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 | 48 |
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 | Trafford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 18 state primary schools in Sale. Higher than 73% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 34.4% | 18.2%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 7th highest of 18 state primary schools in Sale. Higher than 71% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.2% | 3.1%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 18 state primary schools in Sale. Higher than 70% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 17.5% | 12.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 7th highest of 18 state primary schools in Sale. Higher than 80% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 33.3% | 27.4%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 14th lowest of 18 state primary schools in Sale. Lower than 73% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.3% | 4.1%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 16th lowest of 18 state primary schools in Sale. Lower than 52% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 11.4% | 9.0%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 15th lowest of 18 state primary schools in Sale. Lower than 55% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.8 | 0.8 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 12th lowest of 18 state primary schools in Sale. Lower than 62% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.4% | 0.5% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 12th highest of 18 state primary schools in Sale. Higher than 51% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 20.7 | 21.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 13th highest of 18 state primary schools in Sale. Higher than 51% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.8 | 11.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 9th highest of 18 state primary schools in Sale. Higher than 40% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 10.0% | 10.2%* | 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
- Woodheys Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 75% met expected standard (KS2)
- Tyntesfield Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 84% met expected standard (KS2)
- Firs Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
- Broadheath Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), improved significantly 2025 · 79% met expected standard (KS2)
- Park Road Academy Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 90% met expected standard (KS2)
- All Saints' Catholic Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 strong, 3 expected · 88% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Hugh's Catholic Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 75% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Mary's CofE Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 79% met expected standard (KS2)
- Brooklands Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 strong, 2 expected · 87% met expected standard (KS2)
- Navigation Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Margaret Ward Catholic Primary School's Ofsted rating?
St Margaret Ward Catholic Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 21 November 2023.
How did St Margaret Ward Catholic Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 55% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 7 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Margaret Ward Catholic Primary School?
92% of the 75 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend St Margaret Ward Catholic Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Margaret Ward Catholic Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 24 families put St Margaret Ward Catholic Primary School 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 106359.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- 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.