St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School, West Bromwich
St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in West Bromwich. It has a Church of England religious character. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in January 2014. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in November 2024 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 13th-highest of the 17 schools in West Bromwich with published results, and 11,625th of 14,452 across England. It was full in 2025, at 110% of capacity.
- SATs results
- Below England average
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2014)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Sandwell (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School in detail
Results
In 2025, 71% of Year 6 pupils at St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 61% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 75% in Sandwell and 77% and 75% across England.
Results rose from 63% in reading and 56% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 21 families put St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School as their first choice and 58 named it as one of their preferences, for 24 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School are All Saints CofE Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 75% reading, 78% maths); Eaton Valley Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 64% reading, 79% maths); Hargate Primary School (0.7 miles, Outstanding, 79% reading, 80% maths); and Pennyhill Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 64% reading, 64% maths).
St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.
All Saints CofE Primary SchoolEaton Valley Primary SchoolHargate Primary SchoolPennyhill Primary School
What parents say
34 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School (as of September 2025): 82% would recommend the school, 85% say their child is happy there and 33% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that they are kept well informed about progress (88%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (33%).
Who goes there
31% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (41%), Asian (36%) and Mixed (12%).
In 2026, 40 pupils (17.5%) received SEN support and 5 (2.2%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.
Getting there
The nearest tram or metro stop is Black Lake (West Midlands Metro), about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.
16 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Church Vale (opposite), 100 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School issued 6 suspensions, 2.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School are The Phoenix Collegiate (0.5 miles), Shireland CBSO Academy (0.8 miles), Shireland Biomedical Utc (0.9 miles) and George Salter Academy (1.1 miles).
The Phoenix CollegiateShireland CBSO AcademyShireland Biomedical UtcGeorge Salter Academy
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from January 2014, 12 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's November 2024 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
This is a caring, calm school where children feel safe and happy. Adults are positive role models who listen to pupils and parents, and the school has built an excellent sense of community and strong relationships. Reading is a particular strength, with the school using a consistent phonics programme and creative activities to help all children become confident readers.
Key Strengths
- Reading is taught very well with consistent phonics instruction and activities like library club that encourage children to enjoy books
- Behaviour and attitudes are good - pupils are polite, respectful and caring towards each other
- Leaders know what is working well and what needs to improve, and are actively making changes to support staff
- The wider curriculum is well designed with opportunities for pupils to revisit and build on their knowledge in subjects like geography, art and design technology
- Early identification of pupils with special needs and good communication with parents ensures appropriate support
Areas for Improvement
- Teaching and assessment in mathematics varies in quality, slowing pupils' progress and preventing standards from rising
- Pupils' writing standards remain variable despite new approaches to letter formation and handwriting being introduced
- Consistency in implementing new teaching methods across all classrooms is needed
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with the school maintaining an open and positive culture that puts pupils' interests first.
Extracurricular Activities
Lunchtime library club, 'blind date with a book', school council, eco warriors, museum trips, gallery visits, residential stay
St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School is a well-led school with a strong sense of community and excellent relationships, but the quality of education requires improvement due to dropping standards in writing and mathematics.
At a Glance
23.1%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
34 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 63% to 71% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 56% to 61% (2024 to 2025). Writing has improved from 50% to 61% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
23.3
Avg class size
29.5
Infant (KS1)
30.0
KS2
7
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Before and after school care
St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School is on the Department for Education's free breakfast clubs programme (list updated July 2026), which pays for a free breakfast club for pupils before school. Source: Free breakfast clubs: schools on the programme, Department for Education Free breakfast clubs in Sandwell
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School.
- Helping Hands Eaton Valley740m away · Not yet graded
- Playhouse @ 4 Community Trust950m away · Not yet graded
Term dates
St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School is a voluntary controlled school, so its term dates are set by Sandwell. Training (INSET) days, when pupils are not in school, vary by school: check the school's own calendar.
2026 to 2027
- Autumn term: Tuesday 1 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026)
- Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027)
- Summer term: Monday 12 April to Wednesday 21 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027)
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
You apply to the council where you live. St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School is in Sandwell; for families living there:
Apply to Sandwell for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 41
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 7
- Children hurt
- 6
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 41 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 7 serious and 34 slight.
6 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 5 on foot and 1 on a bicycle.
9 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Sandwell is 26.5 (the median across 134 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Will you get a place at St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Sandwell, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Sandwell got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
110%
Over capacity
211 pupils
191 places
20 pupils over capacity in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - West Bromwich
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for West Bromwich
Across Sandwell council
Places available
4,920
Applications
3,985
Got 1st preference
94.1%
Got preferred school
98.6%
All primary applications across Sandwell council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(8)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
40
SEN Support
5
EHC Plans
19.7%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
229
Total Pupils
103
Boys
126
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
13
Teachers
17.6:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£48,677
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,011
Per pupil
£1413k
Total funding
£88k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
5.1%
Overall absence
12.0%
Persistent absence
184
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Questions parents ask about St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School
What are SATs results like at St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School?
Of the pupils at St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 71% reached the expected standard in reading and 61% did so in maths.
What is St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School's Ofsted rating?
St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in November 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in January 2014, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School is oversubscribed, Sandwell allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School?
St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School was full in 2025, at 110% of its capacity, so places are allocated on the oversubscription criteria.
How big are the classes at St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School?
Classes at St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School average 23.3 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School?
St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School has around 229 pupils on roll. 23% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School?
5.1% of sessions were missed at St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School in 2024/25. 12% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School?
Apply through Sandwell's coordinated admissions process, naming St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
Does St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School is on the Department for Education's free breakfast clubs programme (list updated July 2026), which pays for a free breakfast club for pupils before school. Ofsted's childcare register lists 2 out-of-school clubs within a kilometre of St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School: Helping Hands Eaton Valley (740m away, registered, not yet graded) and Playhouse @ 4 Community Trust (950m away, registered, not yet graded).
What are St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School's term dates?
St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School is a voluntary controlled school, so its term dates are set by Sandwell. In 2026 to 2027: Autumn term: Tuesday 1 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026); Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027); Summer term: Monday 12 April to Wednesday 21 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027).
How many road collisions happen near St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 41 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 7 serious and 34 slight. 6 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 5 on foot and 1 on a bicycle. 9 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Sandwell is 26.5 (the median across 134 schools, same distance and years).
Where is St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School?
St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School is at Stanway Road, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B71 1RP.
Sources: Sandwell term dates; Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)