St Mary's CofE Primary School, Hereford

Ofsted's report card from its 21 April 2026 inspection grades St Mary's CofE Primary School on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils' published outcomes have historically been variable."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders' work to promote high levels of attendance is effective."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Overall, leaders have ensured that the school's curriculum is broad, balanced and ambitious."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children get off to a flying start in the early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders quickly get to know pupils and families."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors know the school and its families well."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders organise a range of enrichment activities, including school trips and visitors."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should broaden the opportunities for all pupils to fully access a wide and rich range of experiences within and beyond school"; "Leaders should streamline their school improvement priorities so that they can focus more effectively on the most important things, leading to consistent improvement in standards across all areas of the school's work"; "Leaders should check the implementation and impact of wider curriculum subjects so that all pupils can develop a deeper understanding across the whole curriculum".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Our school is based on a strong sense of community and belonging - every member is valued and encouraged to fulfil their God-given potential; Christian values are at our core. We see ourselves as one big family where everyone is nurtured. We want all children to enjoy their learning and to build memories that will last a lifetime."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, hockey, tennis, gymnastics, basketball, swimming and dance.

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

Coming up: an open day on Friday 19 March 2027, an open day on Tuesday 18 May 2027, an open day on Friday 25 June 2027 and an open day on Thursday 15 July 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 65% of Year 6 pupils at St Mary's CofE Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 82% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 77% in Herefordshire, County of; and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (77% in reading, 68% in maths).

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

For September 2026 entry, 8 families put St Mary's CofE Primary School as their first choice and 37 named it as one of their preferences, for 15 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to St Mary's CofE Primary School are Stretton Sugwas CofE Academy (1.1 miles, Good, 73% reading, 73% maths); Burghill Community Academy (1.4 miles, Good, 60% reading, 70% maths); Trinity Primary School (2.8 miles, Good, 74% reading, 72% maths); and Madley Primary School (3.6 miles, Good, 88% reading, 92% maths).

St Mary's CofE Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

22 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about St Mary's CofE Primary School (as of September 2026): 86% would recommend the school, 82% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (91%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

10.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 1.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 28 pupils (19.4%) received SEN support and 3 (2.1%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

St Mary's CofE Primary School had 9 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of St Mary's CofE Primary School.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Mary's School (outside), 100 metres away.

In 2024/25, St Mary's CofE Primary School issued 17 suspensions, 12.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.