SchoolScoresSt Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Voluntary controlled school · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class
Stanway Road, West Bromwich, B71 1RP
0121 588 2371 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 12 November 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 | Requires improvement |
| 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
34 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
West Bromwich comparisons use the 9 of its 17 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 8 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 | West Bromwich | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 6th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Bromwich. Higher than 12% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 88% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 7th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Bromwich. Higher than 16% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 89% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 6th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Bromwich. Higher than 37% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 87% | 84% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 24 parents who had raised a concern 4th highest of 7 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Bromwich. Higher than 27% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 75% | 73% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 6th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Bromwich. Higher than 23% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82%said yes | 83% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 15%). 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. West Bromwich figures pool parents at the West Bromwich 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
31 pupils in this year group.
42% — 19 points below the Sandwell average, and 20 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Sandwell | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 42% | 61% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 71% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 61% | 72% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 61% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 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 Sandwell. 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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 24 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 21 |
| Of those, offered a place | 21 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 58 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9
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 Church of England school, but as a voluntary controlled school its admissions are set by the council, which usually doesn't prioritise by faith. Check the council's admissions criteria.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Sandwell | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 15th highest of 17 state primary schools in West Bromwich. Higher than 65% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 29.1% | 37.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 13th highest of 17 state primary schools in West Bromwich. Higher than 22% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.7% | 2.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 12th highest of 17 state primary schools in West Bromwich. Higher than 40% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 12.9% | 15.1%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 15th highest of 17 state primary schools in West Bromwich. Higher than 77% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 28.4% | 35.9%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 6th lowest of 17 state primary schools in West Bromwich. Lower than 48% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.1% | 5.6%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) Joint 5th lowest of 17 state primary schools in West Bromwich. Lower than 48% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 12.0% | 15.2%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 14th lowest of 17 state primary schools in West Bromwich. Lower than 30% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.6 | 1.3 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 15th lowest of 17 state primary schools in West Bromwich. Lower than 23% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.7% | 0.8% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 15th highest of 17 state primary schools in West Bromwich. Higher than 38% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 19.6 | 21.9 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 7th highest of 17 state primary schools in West Bromwich. Higher than 48% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.6 | 10.7 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 12th highest of 17 state primary schools in West Bromwich. Higher than 39% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 9.8% | 12.4%* | 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
- All Saints CofE Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Eaton Valley Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023 · 54% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hargate Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2017), confirmed 2024 · 66% met expected standard (KS2)
- Pennyhill Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 5 expected · 52% met expected standard (KS2)
- St John Bosco Catholic Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 83% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hateley Heath Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hall Green Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- Moorlands Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 55% met expected standard (KS2)
- King George V Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), some aspects weaker 2024 · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Priory Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 strong, 2 expected · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 12 November 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 42% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 20 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School?
82% of the 34 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 21 families put St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School as their first choice for 24 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 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 103989.
- 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.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.