St Marys Catholic Primary School, Crowborough

Ofsted's report card from its 7 July 2026 inspection grades St Marys Catholic Primary School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Early years - Strong standard. "Leaders provide strong strategic direction for early years and ensure that every aspect of provision reflects high expectations for children's learning, development and wellbeing."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Children secure excellent foundational knowledge in the highly effective early years provision, giving them a strong start to their education and preparing them well for key stage 1."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders have strengthened attendance across the school."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate and precise overview of curriculum and teaching."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors promote an inclusive culture where pupils feel valued and supported."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "The acting leadership team took temporary charge at the start of the summer term."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders place personal development and wellbeing at the heart of the school's work."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that lesson activities are sharply designed to help pupils to achieve highly with spelling, handwriting and mathematics"; "Leaders should ensure that all teachers uphold high expectations for learning behaviour, helping pupils to show positive attitudes to learning at all times"; "Leaders should continue their work to raise the attendance of disadvantaged pupils".

From the headteacher's welcome: "St Mary's is a successful Catholic school where we celebrate diversity and warmly welcome families from all faiths and backgrounds. We aim, at all times, to live out our mission to Pray - Learn - Love - Enjoy. We hold the needs of the whole child at the heart of all that we do."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, gymnastics, basketball, karate, dance and art.

The school runs after-school care.

Coming up: an admissions event on Wednesday 11 November 2026 at 2pm and an admissions event on Thursday 12 November 2026 at 2pm. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 66% of Year 6 pupils at St Marys Catholic Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 66% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 72% in East Sussex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 78% in reading and 69% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 29 families put St Marys Catholic Primary School as their first choice and 93 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 3 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to St Marys Catholic Primary School are Sir Henry Fermor Church of England Primary School (0.1 miles, Good, 69% reading, 62% maths); Ashdown Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 78% reading, 72% maths); Jarvis Brook Primary School (1.1 miles, Good, 67% reading, 72% maths); and St John's Church of England Primary School (1.2 miles, Good, 79% reading, 83% maths).

St Marys Catholic Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

7.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 4.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (81%) and Mixed (5%).

The nearest railway station is Crowborough Rail Station, about 1 mile away in a straight line.

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Martlets (adjacent), 150 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 98 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and public order offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in East Sussex (65), as is usual near a town centre.

St Marys Catholic Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.