SchoolScoresSt Mary's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of ROMERO CATHOLIC ACADEMY TRUST
Holcombe Drive, Burnley, BB10 4BH
01282 427546 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 31 January 2017. 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 | Requires improvement |
| Outcomes for pupils | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| 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
30 pupils in this year group.
43% — 17 points below the Lancashire average, and 19 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 43% | 60% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 57% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 57% | 71% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 57% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 105 | 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 Lancashire. 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 | 22 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 21 |
| Of those, offered a place | 21 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 72 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.8 · 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 | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 8th highest of 35 state primary schools in Burnley. Higher than 83% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 42.4% | 25.3%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 7th highest of 35 state primary schools in Burnley. Higher than 82% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 5.2% | 3.0%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 27th highest of 35 state primary schools in Burnley. Higher than 29% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.4% | 13.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 10th highest of 35 state primary schools in Burnley. Higher than 69% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 21.0% | 16.0%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 32nd lowest of 35 state primary schools in Burnley. Lower than 11% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.9% | 5.1%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 27th lowest of 35 state primary schools in Burnley. Lower than 21% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 17.6% | 12.3%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 35th lowest of 35 state primary schools in Burnley. Lower than 1% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 23.8 | 2.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 35th lowest of 35 state primary schools in Burnley. Lower than 1% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 7.1% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 35 state primary schools in Burnley. Higher than 99% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 30.8 | 21.1 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 26th highest of 35 state primary schools in Burnley. Higher than 28% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.5 | 10.5 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 32 state primary schools in Burnley. Higher than 97% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 42.9% | 12.9%* | 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
- Burnley St Peter's CofE Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- Burnley Springfield Community Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 43% met expected standard (KS2)
- Burnley Brunshaw Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 23% met expected standard (KS2)
- Burnley St Stephen's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 needs attention · 40% met expected standard (KS2)
- Heasandford Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Rawdhatul Uloom 0.7 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 5 expected
- Burnley Stoneyholme Community Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 79% met expected standard (KS2)
- Barden Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Burnley Holy Trinity CofE Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022 · 45% met expected standard (KS2)
- Rosewood Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025 · 55% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Mary's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy's Ofsted rating?
St Mary's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 31 January 2017.
How did St Mary's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 43% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 19 points below the England average of 62%.
Is St Mary's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 21 families put St Mary's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy as their first choice for 22 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 21 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 150081.
- 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.