SchoolScoresSt Martin's Academy Chester
Free school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed
Part of NORTH WEST ACADEMIES TRUST LIMITED
91 Hoole Road, Chester, CH2 3NG
01244 566166 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 3 December 2024, 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 | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Early years | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
83 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Chester comparisons use the 20 of its 41 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 21 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 | Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 5th highest of 20 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester. Higher than 78% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 99% | 97% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 7th highest of 20 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester. Higher than 76% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 99% | 98% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 3rd highest of 20 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester. Higher than 83% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 95% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 16 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 8th highest of 16 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester. Higher than 70% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 63% | 61% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 50 parents who had raised a concern Joint 9th highest of 20 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester. Higher than 72% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 89% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 12th highest of 20 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester. Higher than 67% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95%said yes | 95% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 48%). 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. Chester figures pool parents at the Chester 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
25 pupils in this year group.
96% — 35 points above the Cheshire West and Chester average, and 34 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 96% | 61% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 32% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 100% | 76% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 96% | 72% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 100% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 112 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 111 | 105 | 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 Cheshire West and Chester. 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 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 26 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 33 |
| Of those, offered a place | 21 (64%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 112 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.7 · 2025: 1.9 · 2026: 1.3
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 31st highest of 40 state primary schools in Chester. Higher than 7% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 6.3% | 20.2%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 11th highest of 40 state primary schools in Chester. Higher than 82% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 5.2% | 3.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 8th highest of 40 state primary schools in Chester. Higher than 87% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 21.8% | 13.9%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 15th highest of 40 state primary schools in Chester. Higher than 55% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 12.1% | 9.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 40 state primary schools in Chester. Lower than 98% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.0% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 40 state primary schools in Chester. Lower than 99% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 2.0% | 11.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 40 state primary schools in Chester. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 1.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 40 state primary schools in Chester. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 0.8% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 25th highest of 40 state primary schools in Chester. Higher than 26% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 18.4 | 19.8 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 25th highest of 40 state primary schools in Chester. Higher than 44% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.4 | 10.6 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 4th highest of 36 state primary schools in Chester. Higher than 79% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 22.4% | 9.9%* | 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
- Hoole CofE Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015, before conversion), improved significantly 2025 · 79% met expected standard (KS2)
- Newton Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023) · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Werburgh's and St Columba's Catholic Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed, may be improving 2024 · 84% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Firs School 0.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Cherry Grove Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2025 · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- Mill View Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 90% met expected standard (KS2)
- Oldfield Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed with concerns 2023 · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Grosvenor Park CofE Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- Upton Westlea Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- Chester Blue Coat CofE Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Martin's Academy Chester's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 3 December 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did St Martin's Academy Chester do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 96% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 34 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Martin's Academy Chester?
95% of the 83 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Martin's Academy Chester to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Martin's Academy Chester oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 33 families put St Martin's Academy Chester as their first choice for 26 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 21 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 139377.
- 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.