SchoolScoresSt Mary's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Nursery class
Part of BISHOP CHADWICK CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
Meadowside, Sunderland, SR2 7QN
0191 522 8787 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 24 September 2013. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
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 |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 18 December 2024: Ofsted found the school had improved significantly.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
108 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Sunderland comparisons use the 25 of its 50 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 25 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 | Sunderland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 9th highest of 25 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 47% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 95% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 13th highest of 25 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 45% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 96% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 13th highest of 25 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 44% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 91% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 28 parents whose child had been bullied 13th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 5% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 29% | 52% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 65 parents who had raised a concern 21st highest of 24 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 22% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 72% | 83% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 15 parents of children with SEND 4th highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 48% of 2,087 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 73% | 75% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 17th highest of 25 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 35% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87%said yes | 91% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 23%). 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. Sunderland figures pool parents at the Sunderland 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
59 pupils in this year group.
95% — 29 points above the Sunderland average, and 33 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Sunderland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 95% | 66% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 31% | 11% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 95% | 77% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 95% | 75% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 97% | 77% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 110 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 113 | 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 Sunderland. 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 | 60 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 71 |
| Of those, offered a place | 60 (85%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 109 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 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 | Sunderland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 49th highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 8% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 6.9% | 31.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 27th highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 18% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.5% | 2.1%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 30th highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 66% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 16.7% | 17.8%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 15th highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 47% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 8.7% | 8.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 12th lowest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Lower than 69% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.4% | 5.2%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 12th lowest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Lower than 66% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 9.1% | 13.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 15th lowest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.2 | 1.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 15th lowest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Lower than 68% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.2% | 0.8% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.06% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 4th highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 95% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 26.1 | 20.4 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 95% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 14.9 | 11.3 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 39th highest of 50 state primary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 25% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 5.8% | 12.2%* | 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
- Richard Avenue Primary School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Barnes Infant Academy 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected
- Barnes Junior School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 38% met expected standard (KS2)
- Plains Farm Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hill View Junior Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 81% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hill View Infant Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022)
- Diamond Hall Junior Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016, before conversion), improved significantly 2025 · 90% met expected standard (KS2)
- Diamond Hall Infant Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- Hudson Road Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 68% 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, Sunderland's Ofsted rating?
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 24 September 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 18 December 2024, Ofsted found the school had improved significantly.
How did St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 95% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 33 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland?
87% of the 108 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, Sunderland to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 71 families put St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland as their first choice for 60 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 60 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 148781.
- 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.