SchoolScoresSt Mary's Catholic Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 2 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Nursery class
Part of ST THOMAS CATHOLIC ACADEMIES TRUST
Dunstable Road, Caddington, Luton, LU1 4BB
01582 602420 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 26 April 2022.
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 |
| 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.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
21 pupils in this year group.
62% — 12 points above the Central Bedfordshire average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 62% | 50% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 14% | 3% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 71% | 70% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 76% | 61% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 71% | 66% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 104 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 103 | 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 Central Bedfordshire. 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 | 28 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 30 |
| Of those, offered a place | 28 (93%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 41 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.1
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 | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 19th highest of 52 state primary schools in Luton. Higher than 62% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 27.7% | 13.3%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 13th highest of 52 state primary schools in Luton. Higher than 76% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.6% | 4.3%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 12th highest of 52 state primary schools in Luton. Higher than 76% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 18.8% | 11.4%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 44th highest of 52 state primary schools in Luton. Higher than 80% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 32.5% | 12.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 31st lowest of 52 state primary schools in Luton. Lower than 40% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.3% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 17th lowest of 52 state primary schools in Luton. Lower than 54% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 11.1% | 11.3%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 49th lowest of 52 state primary schools in Luton. Lower than 13% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 5.8 | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 52nd lowest of 52 state primary schools in Luton. Lower than 6% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 3.8% | 1.4% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.42% | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 35th highest of 52 state primary schools in Luton. Higher than 47% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 20.4 | 21.7 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 41st highest of 52 state primary schools in Luton. Higher than 20% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 8.9 | 10.2 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 34th highest of 50 state primary schools in Luton. Higher than 40% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 10.0% | 13.5%* | 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
- St Augustine's Academy 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024 · 32% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ardley Hill Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Watling Lower School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015, before conversion), some aspects weaker 2024
- St Christophers Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 33% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lark Rise Academy 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 88% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hadrian Academy 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
- Dunstable Icknield Lower School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023, before conversion)
- The Vale Academy 1.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 73% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ashton St Peter's VA CofE School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 45% met expected standard (KS2)
- Kensworth CofE Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected, 1 needs attention · 57% 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's Ofsted rating?
St Mary's Catholic Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 26 April 2022.
How did St Mary's Catholic Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 62% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, about the same as the England average of 62%.
Is St Mary's Catholic Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 30 families put St Mary's Catholic Primary School as their first choice for 28 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 28 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 145324.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 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.