SchoolScoresSt Mary's Catholic Primary
Voluntary aided school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Cross Street, Chesterfield, S40 4ST
01246 232170 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 4 December 2018.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 20 June 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
113 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Chesterfield comparisons use the 31 of its 63 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 32 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 | Chesterfield | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 11th highest of 31 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chesterfield. Higher than 70% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 95% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 10th highest of 31 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chesterfield. Higher than 68% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 95% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 4th highest of 31 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chesterfield. Higher than 78% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 89% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 43 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 12th highest of 22 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chesterfield. Higher than 44% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 53% | 52% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 87 parents who had raised a concern Joint 11th highest of 30 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chesterfield. Higher than 58% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 79% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 6th highest of 31 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chesterfield. Higher than 72% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96%said yes | 89% | 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. Chesterfield figures pool parents at the Chesterfield 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
60 pupils in this year group.
67% — 8 points above the Derbyshire average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Derbyshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 67% | 59% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 13% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 82% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 77% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 78% | 72% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 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 Derbyshire. 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 | 60 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 100 |
| Of those, offered a place | 59 (59%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 147 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.7
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 | Derbyshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 55th highest of 63 state primary schools in Chesterfield. Higher than 32% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.8% | 30.9%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 42nd highest of 63 state primary schools in Chesterfield. Higher than 31% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.1% | 3.1%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 55th highest of 63 state primary schools in Chesterfield. Higher than 15% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 9.1% | 16.6%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 13th highest of 63 state primary schools in Chesterfield. Higher than 48% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 8.8% | 5.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 6th lowest of 63 state primary schools in Chesterfield. Lower than 92% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.5% | 4.8%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 12th lowest of 63 state primary schools in Chesterfield. Lower than 85% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.0% | 10.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 30th lowest of 63 state primary schools in Chesterfield. Lower than 47% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.2 | 3.1 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 28th lowest of 63 state primary schools in Chesterfield. Lower than 48% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.7% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.48% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 11th highest of 63 state primary schools in Chesterfield. Higher than 81% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 23.4 | 20.1 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 22nd highest of 63 state primary schools in Chesterfield. Higher than 55% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.0 | 10.5 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 40th highest of 59 state primary schools in Chesterfield. Higher than 24% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 5.7% | 11.5%* | 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
- Abercrombie Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 80% met expected standard (KS2)
- Brampton Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 21% met expected standard (KS2)
- Christ Church CofE Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), improved significantly 2025 · 73% met expected standard (KS2)
- Highfield Hall Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), some aspects weaker 2025 · 43% met expected standard (KS2)
- Brockwell Junior School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- Brockwell Nursery and Infant School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022
- William Rhodes Primary and Nursery School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 39% met expected standard (KS2)
- Old Hall Junior School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 74% met expected standard (KS2)
- Spire Junior School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 31% met expected standard (KS2)
- Walton Peak Flying High Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 80% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Mary's Catholic Primary's Ofsted rating?
St Mary's Catholic Primary was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 4 December 2018. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 20 June 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did St Mary's Catholic Primary do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 67% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 5 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Mary's Catholic Primary?
96% of the 113 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend St Mary's Catholic Primary to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Mary's Catholic Primary oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 100 families put St Mary's Catholic Primary as their first choice for 60 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 59 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 112898.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 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.