St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster, Axminster

From the headteacher's welcome: "St Mary's Foundation Stage is part of St Mary's Catholic Primary School where all reception aged children aged 4 to 5 years are taught in Robin Class. In July 2019, we were graded as 'Good' Early Year's Foundation Stage Unit. Here at St Mary's, we believe that the first years at school are a fundamental stage in your child's life."

In 2025, 53% of Year 6 pupils at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster reached the expected standard in reading and 32% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 73% in Devon and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 75% in reading and 81% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 24 families put St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster as their first choice and 31 named it as one of their preferences, for 20 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 4 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster are Axminster Community Primary Academy (0.2 miles, Good, 76% reading, 76% maths); Kilmington Primary School (1.8 miles, Requires improvement, 88% reading, 50% maths); All Saints Church of England Primary School (1.8 miles, Requires improvement, 90% reading, 70% maths); and Musbury Primary School (2.8 miles, Good, 75% reading, 63% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster is one of 34 schools run by Plymouth Cast, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 51% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

30 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster (as of September 2025): 100% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 67% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (100%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (67%).

11.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 13 pupils (9.6%) received SEN support and 6 (4.4%) 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.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster had 10 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 Axminster Rail Station, about 850 metres away (roughly a 11-minute walk).

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Lamb Inn (nw-bound), 130 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 49 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and drug offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Devon (16), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster issued 6 suspensions, 4.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.