St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage, Swanage

Ofsted's report card from its 8 September 2026 inspection grades St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The personal development curriculum supports pupils very effectively."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Published outcomes over time show that by Year 6, pupils reach standards well above the national averages in reading and mathematics."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders work tirelessly to improve attendance and reduce persistent absence."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders provide a broad and ambitious curriculum."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children's knowledge, skills and understanding of early reading, writing and mathematics are built securely."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "St Mary's is a highly caring and inclusive school."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders use their knowledge and experience to understand the school's community deeply."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to develop approaches with key partners to sustain consistently good attendance and low levels of persistent absence"; "Leaders at all levels should ensure school improvement plans, training and monitoring focus directly on teaching and curriculum developments so all pupils can consistently achieve well"; "Leaders should ensure that middle and subject leaders can contribute fully to school improvements".

The school runs after-school care, from £1.50 per morning.

In 2025, 90% of Year 6 pupils at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage reached the expected standard in reading and 87% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 71% in Dorset and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 79% in reading and 86% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 27 families put St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage as their first choice and 44 named it as one of their preferences, for 27 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, Swanage are Swanage Primary School (1.1 miles, 63% reading, 57% maths); Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School (1.1 miles, Good, 55% reading, 59% maths); St George's Church of England Primary School, Langton Matravers (1.8 miles, 75% reading, 92% maths); and Corfe Castle Church of England Primary School (4 miles, Good, 71% reading, 79% maths).

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage 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, Swanage (as of September 2026): 97% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 33% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (100%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (33%).

8.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (86%) and Mixed (5%).

In 2026, 40 pupils (22.9%) received SEN support and 9 (5.1%) 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 a moderate learning difficulty.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage had 16 teachers in 2026, one for every 11 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Swanage (Swanage Railway), about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Washpond Lane (se-bound), 220 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 47 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Dorset (25), as is usual near a town centre.

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