SchoolScoresSt Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of PLYMOUTH CAST
Lyme Road, Axminster, EX13 5BE
0129732785 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 2 July 2019.
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 | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 17 December 2024: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
30 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
| Statement | This school | Axminster | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 1st highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Axminster. Higher than 82% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 90% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 5th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Axminster. Higher than 34% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 91% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 2nd highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Axminster. Higher than 78% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 78% | 84% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 21 parents who had raised a concern 4th highest of 8 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Axminster. Higher than 42% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 76% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 1st highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Axminster. Higher than 90% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100%said yes | 87% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 22%). 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. Axminster figures pool parents at the Axminster 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
19 pupils in this year group.
21% — 38 points below the Devon average, and 41 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 21% | 59% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 5% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 53% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 63% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 32% | 72% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 101 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 98 | 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 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 20 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 24 |
| Of those, offered a place | 20 (83%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 31 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.2
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 7th highest of 9 state primary schools in Axminster. Higher than 29% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.0% | 20.0%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 6th highest of 9 state primary schools in Axminster. Higher than 63% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.7% | 3.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 7th highest of 9 state primary schools in Axminster. Higher than 10% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 8.1% | 15.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 9 state primary schools in Axminster. Higher than 55% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.8% | 6.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 7th lowest of 9 state primary schools in Axminster. Lower than 37% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.5% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) Joint 5th lowest of 9 state primary schools in Axminster. Lower than 45% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 12.5% | 10.9%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 7th lowest of 9 state primary schools in Axminster. Lower than 18% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 4.4 | 3.3 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 9 state primary schools in Axminster. Lower than 27% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.5% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 9 state primary schools in Axminster. Higher than 70% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.3 | 20.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 9 state primary schools in Axminster. Higher than 24% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.2 | 10.6 | 10.6 |
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.
Nearby primary schools
- Axminster Community Primary Academy 0.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 52% met expected standard (KS2)
- Kilmington Primary School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 38% met expected standard (KS2)
- All Saints CofE Primary School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Musbury Primary School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025
- Shute Community Primary School 3.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hawkchurch CofE School 3.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster's Ofsted rating?
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 2 July 2019. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 17 December 2024, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 21% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 41 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster?
100% of the 30 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 24 families put St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster as their first choice for 20 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 20 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 140772.
- 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.