St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, part of Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust. It has a Roman Catholic religious character. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 12th-highest of the 94 schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne with published results, and 1,534th of 14,452 across England. For 2026 entry it had 1.3 first-choice applications for every place. It was 92% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Above England average
- Demand
- Oversubscribed
- Attendance
- Better than England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to North Tyneside (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall in detail
Results
In 2025, 87% of Year 6 pupils at St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall reached the expected standard in reading and 93% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 75% in North Tyneside and 77% and 75% across England.
Results rose from 90% in reading and 77% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall
For September 2026 entry, 38 families put St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall as their first choice and 77 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. That is 1.3 first choices for every place. 9 families who put it first were not offered a place there.
Admissions history and your chances at St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall are Westmoor Primary School (0.4 miles, Requires improvement, 87% reading, 89% maths); Ivy Road Primary School (0.4 miles, Inadequate, 76% reading, 71% maths); Forest Hall Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 79% reading, 76% maths); and Benton Dene Primary School (0.7 miles, Outstanding, 83% reading, 93% maths).
St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.
Westmoor Primary SchoolIvy Road Primary SchoolForest Hall Primary SchoolBenton Dene Primary School
The trust
St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall is one of 39 schools run by Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, an academy trust.
Across the trust's primary schools, 65% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.
What parents say
63 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall (as of September 2025): 97% would recommend the school, 97% say their child is happy there and 86% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that they are kept well informed about progress (100%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (86%).
Who goes there
14.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 12% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (82%) and Asian (6%).
Getting there
The nearest tram or metro stop is Benton (Tyne and Wear Metro Station), about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.
8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Clousden Hill (e-bound), 80 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall issued 3 suspensions, 1.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall are George Stephenson High School (0.5 miles) and Longbenton High School (0.7 miles).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE multi-academy trust performance data; 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 agoOverall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: Standards have been maintained.
St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall has had no graded Ofsted inspection since it took its current form in April 2022. Before that, as St Marys Roman Catholic Primary School Aided (URN 108620), it was rated Good in March 2013.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's March 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
St Mary's is an inclusive school where pupils feel safe and proud to attend. Reading is a real strength, with pupils becoming confident readers through a well-structured phonics programme and engaging high-quality texts. The school has high expectations for behaviour and gives pupils meaningful responsibilities, helping them develop as rounded young people who care about their community.
Key Strengths
- Reading is at the centre of the curriculum with high-quality texts and a phonics programme delivered consistently well - pupils become fluent and confident readers
- Strong behaviour management with high expectations that most pupils meet; staff skilfully support the small number who struggle
- Pupils take on meaningful responsibilities through student council, young librarians, and 'mini Vinnies' charity work, giving them a genuine voice in school
- Inclusive approach to SEND with good support from the trust and external professionals
- Positive staff culture with high-quality professional development and consideration for staff well-being
Areas for Improvement
- Some pupils in the wider curriculum are not making expected progress because teachers don't consistently adapt teaching to meet individual needs
- Teachers sometimes choose learning tasks that don't match the curriculum aims
- The school needs to provide more detailed curriculum adaptation so all pupils can build on what they already know
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with an open and positive culture in the school.
Extracurricular Activities
Student council, young librarians programme, mini Vinnies charity work, sign language visitors
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall has maintained the good standards from its previous inspection. The school is inclusive and welcoming, with strong relationships between staff and pupils who conduct themselves well.
At a Glance
14.4%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
63 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 remained stable at around 87% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 77% to 93% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 87% to 83% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
29.6
Avg class size
29.3
Infant (KS1)
29.8
KS2
7
Total classes
2 classes with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall.
- Benton Dene Out of School Club CIC940m away · Not yet graded
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall is in North Tyneside; for families living there:
Apply to North Tyneside for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 15
- Fatal
- 1
- Serious
- 3
- Children hurt
- 5
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 15 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 3 serious and 11 slight.
5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise.
4 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 North Tyneside is 12 (the median across 84 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 Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall
Will you get a place at St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall:
- The straight-line distance from your home to St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from North Tyneside, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall for 2023 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in North Tyneside 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
92%
Near capacity
194 pupils
210 places
16 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Across North Tyneside council
Places available
2,516
Applications
2,025
Got 1st preference
91.7%
Got preferred school
96.2%
All primary applications across North Tyneside council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Oversubscribed
Inspection History
Ungraded inspection: Standards have been maintained.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
27
SEN Support
9
EHC Plans
17.3%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
208
Total Pupils
101
Boys
107
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
9
Teachers
23.1:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£52,187
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,225
Per pupil
£1102k
Total funding
£38k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
3.5%
Overall absence
3.4%
Persistent absence
174
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 Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall
Questions parents ask about St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall
What are SATs results like at St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall?
Of the pupils at St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 87% reached the expected standard in reading and 93% did so in maths.
What is St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall's Ofsted rating?
St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall has had no graded Ofsted inspection since it took its current form in April 2022. Before that, as St Marys Roman Catholic Primary School Aided (URN 108620), it was rated Good in March 2013.
What is the catchment area for St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall?
No fixed boundary. When St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall is oversubscribed, North Tyneside allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall?
St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall was not full in 2025: it ran at 92% of its 210 places.
How big are the classes at St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall?
Classes at St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall average 29.6 pupils (2025/26). 2 classes have more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall?
St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall has around 208 pupils on roll. 14% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall?
3.5% of sessions were missed at St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall in 2024/25. 3.4% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall?
Apply through North Tyneside's coordinated admissions process, naming St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall 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 Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club within a kilometre of St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall: Benton Dene Out of School Club CIC (940m away, registered, not yet graded). The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
How many road collisions happen near St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 15 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 3 serious and 11 slight. 5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise. 4 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 North Tyneside is 12 (the median across 84 schools, same distance and years).
Where is St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall?
St Marys Catholic Primary School, Forest Hall is at Great Lime Road, Forest Hall, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE12 7AB.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)