St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Luton

Ofsted's report card from its 7 July 2026 inspection grades St Mary's Catholic Primary School on 7 areas: 5 strong standard and 2 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "The school works closely with families to improve the attendance of its pupils."

Early years - Strong standard. "Children in the early years flourish."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders and staff have a profound knowledge of the school's context."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders have prioritised the right areas of the school to develop."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Pupils' personal development and wellbeing are at the heart of this school's approach."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils achieve well."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have devised a curriculum tailored to the needs of their cohort."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should now ensure that misconceptions in pupils' work are recognised and acted upon so that they are rectified over time".

In its own words: "St. Mary's Catholic Primary School caters for children between the ages of 2 and 11 and serves the Dunstable and Caddington communities with pride. The ethos of our school is inseparable from the curriculum providing a learning climate in which all children are nurtured and thrive."

From the headteacher's welcome: "At St. Mary's, Christ is at the centre of everything we do. We aim to achieve this by following our vision, ' G rowing in faith: loving and learning together with Jesus '. The children, parents, staff and governors of St. Mary's are very proud of our school. St. Mary's is a warm, welcoming community where everyone genuinely does matter."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football and Lego.

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care, from £4.50 per day.

In 2025, 71% of Year 6 pupils at St Mary's Catholic Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 71% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 72% and 66% in Central Bedfordshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (70% in reading, 74% in maths).

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

For September 2026 entry, 30 families put St Mary's Catholic Primary School as their first choice and 41 named it as one of their preferences, for 28 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 2 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to St Mary's Catholic Primary School are St. Augustine's Academy (0.5 miles, Good, 52% reading, 40% maths); Ardley Hill Academy (0.8 miles, Good, 71% reading, 69% maths); Watling Lower School (1 mile); and St Christophers Academy (1.2 miles, Good, 63% reading, 47% maths).

St Mary's Catholic Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School is one of 18 schools run by St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 68% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

38% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (38%), Black (13%) and Mixed (11%).

The nearest railway station is Leagrave Rail Station, about 2.7 miles away in a straight line.

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Southwood Road (on), 220 metres away.

In 2024/25, St Mary's Catholic Primary School issued 14 suspensions, 5.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The secondary schools closest to St Mary's Catholic Primary School are Manshead Church of England Academy (under 0.1 miles), Priory Academy (1.1 miles) and Queensbury Academy (1.4 miles).