SchoolScoresSt Mary's Catholic Primary School, Poole
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of PLYMOUTH CAST
Devon Road, Poole, BH15 3QQ
01202 676207 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 30 January 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 20 November 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
50 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Poole comparisons use the 12 of its 27 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 15 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 | Poole | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 10th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Poole. Higher than 54% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 97% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 3rd highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Poole. Higher than 68% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 97% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 11th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Poole. Higher than 27% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 93% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 17 parents whose child had been bullied 7th highest of 11 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Poole. Higher than 60% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 59% | 68% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 40 parents who had raised a concern 11th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Poole. Higher than 27% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 75% | 89% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 12 parents of children with SEND 3rd highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Poole. Higher than 71% of 2,087 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 81% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 11th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Poole. Higher than 32% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86%said yes | 95% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 12%). 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. Poole figures pool parents at the Poole 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
65 pupils in this year group.
58% — 5 points below the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole average, and 4 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 58% | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 11% | 11% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 82% | 77% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 68% | 75% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 69% | 75% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 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 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. 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 | 33 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 31 |
| Of those, offered a place | 31 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 101 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 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 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.
Admissions dates and schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 23rd highest of 27 state primary schools in Poole. Higher than 22% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.5% | 20.5%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 11th highest of 27 state primary schools in Poole. Higher than 68% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.0% | 3.6%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 12th highest of 27 state primary schools in Poole. Higher than 51% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.5% | 13.5%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 27 state primary schools in Poole. Higher than 85% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 40.4% | 19.5%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 27 state primary schools in Poole. Lower than 69% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.4% | 4.9%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 6th lowest of 27 state primary schools in Poole. Lower than 73% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 8.1% | 10.7%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 17th lowest of 27 state primary schools in Poole. Lower than 23% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 3.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 18th lowest of 27 state primary schools in Poole. 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 4th highest of 27 state primary schools in Poole. Higher than 91% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 24.9 | 21.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 27 state primary schools in Poole. Higher than 96% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 15.1 | 11.1 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 15th highest of 27 state primary schools in Poole. Higher than 44% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 10.9% | 13.6%* | 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
- Ocean Academy Poole 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed, may be improving 2024 · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Longfleet CofE Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Oakdale Junior School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 54% met expected standard (KS2)
- Stanley Green Infant Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012, before conversion), confirmed 2023
- Canford Heath Infant School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023)
- Canford Heath Junior School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2011, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Baden-Powell and St Peter's CofE Junior School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 73% met expected standard (KS2)
- Old Town Infant School and Nursery 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), improved significantly 2025
- Livingstone Road Infant School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected
- Livingstone Road Junior School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 expected, 2 needs attention · 52% 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, Poole's Ofsted rating?
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Poole was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 30 January 2019. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 20 November 2024, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Poole do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 58% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 4 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Poole?
86% of the 50 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, Poole to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Poole oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 31 families put St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Poole as their first choice for 33 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 31 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 140777.
- 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.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.