St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Stafford

Ofsted's report card from its 12 May 2026 inspection grades St Mary's Catholic Primary School on 7 areas: 6 strong standard and 1 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Strong standard. "Pupils make impressive progress from their starting points and achieve very well across the curriculum."

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders take a proactive approach to attendance."

Early years - Strong standard. "Early years is a joyful and nurturing part of the school."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders identify pupils' needs quickly and thoughtfully."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "St Mary's is a calm, confident and forward-looking school community."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders' strategic leadership of personal development and wellbeing is highly effective."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Pupils benefit from calm, well-established routines that help learning start quickly."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that staff consistently use checks on learning to spot mistakes and misconceptions so pupils can correct errors quickly"; "Leaders should strive to ensure that pupils sustain the highest possible rates of attendance over time".

From the headteacher's welcome: "'Forming Christ-centred Pilgrims of hope, with kind hearts, questioning minds, a thirst for knowledge and a hunger for justice' We are delighted that you are considering us for your child's education. Every child is made in the image and likeness of God and we aim to develop all of our children into the person God made them to be."

The school runs after-school care.

In 2025, 86% of Year 6 pupils at St Mary's Catholic Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 86% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 79% and 77% in Staffordshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 100% in reading and 92% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 13 families put St Mary's Catholic Primary School as their first choice and 25 named it as one of their preferences, for 13 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to St Mary's Catholic Primary School are St Mary and St Chad CofE First School (0.4 miles, Good); St Paul's CofE First School (2.3 miles, Good); St John's CofE First School (2.7 miles, Good); and St Mary's CofE First Academy (3 miles, Good).

St Mary's Catholic Primary School is one of 64 schools run by St Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Multi-Academy Trust, an academy trust.

2.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (69%), Mixed (13%) and Asian (8%).

In 2026, 14 pupils (15.4%) received SEN support and 0 (0%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School had 6 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Penkridge Rail Station, about 4 miles away in a straight line.

In August 2026, police recorded 13 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and burglary. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Staffordshire (86).

St Mary's Catholic Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.