SchoolScoresSt Mary's Catholic Primary School, Buckfast
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Nursery class
Part of PLYMOUTH CAST
Buckfast Road, Buckfast, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0EA
01364 642389 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 3 February 2026 , published 26 April 2026.
In short: 3 expected, 4 needs attention, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Early yearsNursery and reception classes. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
65 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
Devon comparisons use the 21 of its 308 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 287 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 | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 14th highest of 21 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 23% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 88% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school 15th highest of 21 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 24% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 89% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 17th highest of 21 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 12% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 65% | 79% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 15 parents whose child had been bullied 7th highest of 8 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 13% of 329 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 20% | 31% | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 59 parents who had raised a concern Joint 12th highest of 21 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 31% of 1,062 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 75% | 78% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 15 parents of children with SEND 6th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 49% of 552 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 73% | 69% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 12th highest of 21 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 31% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86%said yes | 87% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 40%). 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. Devon figures pool parents at the Devon 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. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
18 pupils in this year group.
61% — 2 points above the Devon average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 61% | 59% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 72% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 67% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 67% | 72% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 100 | 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 one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 26 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 26 |
| Of those, offered a place | 26 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 32 |
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 | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 14th highest of 308 state primary schools in Devon. Higher than 83% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 42.5% | 20.0%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 22nd highest of 308 state primary schools in Devon. Higher than 94% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 8.0% | 3.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 248th highest of 308 state primary schools in Devon. Higher than 19% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 9.8% | 15.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 233rd highest of 308 state primary schools in Devon. Higher than 0% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 6.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 247th lowest of 308 state primary schools in Devon. Lower than 25% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.0% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 247th lowest of 308 state primary schools in Devon. Lower than 30% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 15.5% | 10.9%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 308 state primary schools in Devon. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 3.3 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 308 state primary schools in Devon. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 164th highest of 307 state primary schools in Devon. Higher than 37% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 19.5 | 20.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 160th highest of 307 state primary schools in Devon. Higher than 40% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.2 | 10.6 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 186th highest of 224 state primary schools in Devon. Higher than 0% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 17.8%* | 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
- Buckfastleigh Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ashburton Primary School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- Landscove CofE Primary School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2025 · 85% 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 School, Buckfast's Ofsted rating?
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Buckfast was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 3 February 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 3 expected, 4 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
How did St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Buckfast do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 61% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, about the same as the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Buckfast?
86% of the 65 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Buckfast to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Buckfast oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 26 families put St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Buckfast as their first choice for 26 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 26 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 140774.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
- 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.