SchoolScoresSt Mary's CofE Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of THE HARBOUR SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP
Chanters Road, Bideford, EX39 2QN
01237 477288 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 19 October 2016. 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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 29 March 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
58 pupils in this year group.
57% — 2 points below the Devon average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 57% | 59% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 2% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 74% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 59% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 86% | 72% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 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 | 34 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 31 |
| Of those, offered a place | 31 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 69 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 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 Church of England 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 13 state primary schools in Bideford. Higher than 37% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 16.3% | 20.0%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 9th highest of 13 state primary schools in Bideford. Higher than 45% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.8% | 3.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 13th highest of 13 state primary schools in Bideford. Higher than 7% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 7.1% | 15.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 8th highest of 13 state primary schools in Bideford. Higher than 11% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.3% | 6.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 9th lowest of 13 state primary schools in Bideford. Lower than 47% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.1% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 10th lowest of 13 state primary schools in Bideford. Lower than 52% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 11.3% | 10.9%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 7th lowest of 13 state primary schools in Bideford. Lower than 35% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.0 | 3.3 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 9th lowest of 13 state primary schools in Bideford. Lower than 26% 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 6th highest of 13 state primary schools in Bideford. Higher than 52% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 20.8 | 20.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 13 state primary schools in Bideford. Higher than 57% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.1 | 10.6 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 6th highest of 11 state primary schools in Bideford. Higher than 32% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 8.2% | 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
- West Croft School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 38% met expected standard (KS2)
- East-the-Water Community Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 69% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Margaret's CofE Junior School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2020, before conversion) · 46% met expected standard (KS2)
- St George's CofE Infant and Nursery School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 1 strong, 6 expected
- Appledore School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 79% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Helen's CofE School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- Instow Community Primary and Pre-School 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2011), confirmed 2023 · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Mary's CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
St Mary's CofE Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 19 October 2016. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 29 March 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did St Mary's CofE Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 57% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 5 points below the England average of 62%.
Is St Mary's CofE Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 31 families put St Mary's CofE Primary School as their first choice for 34 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 151055.
- 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.