SchoolScoresSt Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Kirkley Cliff Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0DG
01502 565384 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 30 April 2024.
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.
What parents say
34 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Lowestoft comparisons use the 9 of its 20 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 11 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 | Lowestoft | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 9th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lowestoft. Higher than 5% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 93% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 5th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lowestoft. Higher than 25% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 91% | 93% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 8th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lowestoft. Higher than 4% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 62% | 88% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 14 parents whose child had been bullied 9th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lowestoft. Higher than 5% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 29% | 55% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 28 parents who had raised a concern 9th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lowestoft. Higher than 11% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 64% | 82% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 8th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lowestoft. Higher than 4% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 62%said yes | 87% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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. Lowestoft figures pool parents at the Lowestoft 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
28 pupils in this year group.
61% — 2 points above the Suffolk average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 61% | 59% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 71% | 73% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 71% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 75% | 71% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 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 Suffolk. 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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 7 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 6 |
| Of those, offered a place | 6 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 17 |
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 19th highest of 20 state primary schools in Lowestoft. Higher than 34% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.4% | 23.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 19th highest of 20 state primary schools in Lowestoft. Higher than 5% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.6% | 3.2%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 6th highest of 20 state primary schools in Lowestoft. Higher than 81% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 20.0% | 14.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 20 state primary schools in Lowestoft. Higher than 69% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 21.1% | 12.6%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 7th lowest of 20 state primary schools in Lowestoft. Lower than 71% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.3% | 5.2%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 9th lowest of 20 state primary schools in Lowestoft. Lower than 74% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.9% | 12.1%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 16th lowest of 20 state primary schools in Lowestoft. Lower than 3% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 14.9 | 5.1 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 16th lowest of 20 state primary schools in Lowestoft. Lower than 3% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 5.1% | 1.9% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 10th highest of 20 state primary schools in Lowestoft. Higher than 38% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 19.6 | 19.8 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 9th highest of 20 state primary schools in Lowestoft. Higher than 33% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.8 | 10.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 18 state primary schools in Lowestoft. Higher than 78% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 22.2% | 15.0%* | 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
- Phoenix St Peter Academy 0.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- Red Oak Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed, may be improving 2023 · 88% met expected standard (KS2)
- Westwood Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Pakefield Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 expected, 4 needs attention · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- Roman Hill Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 33% met expected standard (KS2)
- Elm Tree Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 81% met expected standard (KS2)
- Dell Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 47% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Margaret's Primary Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 51% met expected standard (KS2)
- Northfield St Nicholas Primary Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Grove Primary School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 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 Roman Catholic Primary School's Ofsted rating?
St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 30 April 2024.
How did St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 61% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, about the same as the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School?
62% of the 34 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 6 families put St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School as their first choice for 7 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 6 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 142806.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 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.