St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor, Stanley
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Stanley, part of Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust. It has a Roman Catholic religious character. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in July 2024. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 15th-highest of the 15 schools in Stanley with published results, and 14,367th of 14,452 across England. It was 62% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Below England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2024)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Better than England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to County Durham (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor in detail
Results
In 2025, 50% of Year 6 pupils at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor reached the expected standard in reading and 22% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in County Durham and 77% and 75% across England.
Results fell from 71% in reading and 71% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor
For September 2026 entry, 15 families put St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor as their first choice and 28 named it as one of their preferences, for 15 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor are South Stanley Junior School (0.3 miles, Good, 85% reading, 81% maths); South Stanley Infant and Nursery School (0.3 miles, Good); Greenland Community Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 82% reading, 87% maths); and Bloemfontein Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 86% reading, 86% maths).
Each of them had higher 2025 results than St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor.
South Stanley Junior SchoolSouth Stanley Infant and Nursery SchoolGreenland Community Primary SchoolBloemfontein Primary School
The trust
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor is one of 47 schools run by Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust, an academy trust.
Across the trust's primary schools, 69% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.
Who goes there
42.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (91%) and Black (8%).
In 2026, 18 pupils (24%) received SEN support and 3 (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.
Staffing
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor had 7 teachers in 2026, one for every 12 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor.
20 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is South Moor RC School (nw-bound), 20 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 246 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in County Durham (84), as is usual near a town centre.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor issued 8 suspensions, 9.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor are North Durham Academy (0.8 miles) and Tanfield School (1.3 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; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
St Mary's is a welcoming and friendly school where everyone is known well. Pupils are happy and feel part of this small school's community. Relationships between pupils and staff are warm in this Catholic school. This helps pupils to live out the school's vision and 'grow together in the friendship of faith'. Pupils have a secure understanding of mutual respect and show this through positive interactions with each other.
The school prioritises the well-being of pupils. They are given regular opportunities to share their views and talk about their feelings. Pupils are confident that their teachers will help them deal with any problems they may have.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
Leaders have taken rapid, effective action to improve the quality of education at St Mary's. A new, ambitious curriculum is in place for all pupils. The school has identified the key knowledge and skills it wants pupils to gain. Some subjects of the curriculum are more embedded than others. To address existing gaps in pupils' knowledge, leaders have prioritised the order in which some content is taught.
Staff have benefited from ongoing training to support them to deliver the curriculum effectively. This is having a positive impact on pupils. Pupils are making better progress. This is particularly the case for mathematics, where pupils enjoy new learning and 'getting things right'. The published outcomes for St Mary's do not reflect the current, higher standards pupils are reaching in the school.
From Ofsted's July 2024 inspection report: the opening paragraphs of each section, quoted word for word. Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its July 2024 inspection.
Rated Good for
Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Personal development, Leadership & management, Early years.
At a Glance
42.7%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 71% to 50% (2024 to 2025). Maths has declined from 71% to 22% (2024 to 2025). Writing has improved from 71% to 83% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
18.8
Avg class size
13.0
Infant (KS1)
24.5
KS2
4
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor is in County Durham; for families living there:
- County Durham's school travel policy: School transport policies and strategies
- How to apply: Apply for free home to school travel
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 3
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 1
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 3 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 2 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot.
0 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 County Durham is 5 (the median across 280 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 Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor
Will you get a place at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor:
- The straight-line distance from your home to St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from County Durham, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor for 2022 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in County Durham 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
62%
Available places
86 pupils
139 places
53 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Stanley
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Stanley
Across County Durham council
Places available
6,581
Applications
4,409
Got 1st preference
97.3%
Got preferred school
99.4%
All primary applications across County Durham council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
18
SEN Support
3
EHC Plans
28.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
75
Total Pupils
35
Boys
40
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
7
Teachers
10.7:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£50,667
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,904
Per pupil
£654k
Total funding
£44k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
4.2%
Overall absence
7.6%
Persistent absence
79
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 Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor
Questions parents ask about St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor
What are SATs results like at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor?
Of the pupils at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 50% reached the expected standard in reading and 22% did so in maths.
What is St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor's Ofsted rating?
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in July 2024.
What is the catchment area for St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor?
No fixed boundary. When St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor is oversubscribed, County Durham allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor?
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor was not full in 2025: it ran at 62% of its 139 places.
How big are the classes at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor?
Classes at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor average 18.8 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor?
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor has around 75 pupils on roll. 43% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor?
4.2% of sessions were missed at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor in 2024/25. 7.6% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor?
Apply through County Durham's coordinated admissions process, naming St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor 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.
How many road collisions happen near St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 3 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 2 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot. 0 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 County Durham is 5 (the median across 280 schools, same distance and years).
Where is St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor?
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, South Moor is at Hustledown, South Moor, Stanley, County Durham, DH9 6PH.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)