St Mary's CofE (VC) J and I School, Sowerby Bridge
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Overall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
St Mary's is a warm, nurturing school where children are genuinely happy and engaged in their learning. The school excels at teaching reading through a strong phonics programme and daily story time, and has built excellent foundations in the early years that continue throughout the school. Leaders have high expectations for all pupils, and the school's strong behaviour culture means children feel safe, respected and eager to take on responsibilities.
Key Strengths
- Strong focus on reading with a well-embedded phonics programme and daily story time
- Excellent behaviour and a caring, respectful school culture where pupils feel safe and supported
- High-quality early years provision that sets solid foundations in reading and mathematics
- Well-developed curriculum plans in English and mathematics with clear, sequenced content
- Pupils take on meaningful responsibilities such as school councillors, eco-warriors and prefects
Areas for Improvement
- Curriculum plans in foundation subjects like history are not yet as well developed as in English and mathematics
- New subject leaders need more training and support to fully evaluate their curricula and check pupils' progress
- Some pupils struggle with independent concentration which occasionally distracts others
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is effective with staff trained and alert to risks, swift action on concerns, and pupils understanding how to stay safe online and offline.
Extracurricular Activities
Inter-school sports opportunities, regional choir singing, school trips with overnight stays, creative and technical activities
St Mary's CofE (VC) J and I School remains an outstanding school with a nurturing ethos where pupils are happy and love learning. However, the next inspection will be graded because some areas of the curriculum, particularly foundation subjects, need further refinement.
At a Glance
4.9%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 100% to 92%. Maths has declined from 92% to 83%. Writing has remained stable at around 92%.
Class Sizes
17.5
Avg class size
19.0
KS2
4
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute Calculator
Find out if this school is reachable from your home - before you apply
What are my chances?
Enter your postcode to estimate your probability of getting a place.
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
58%
Available places
61 pupils
105 capacity
44 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Sowerby Bridge
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Sowerby Bridge
Admissions Demand - Calderdale
Places available
2,943
Applications
1,899
Got 1st preference
95.6%
Got preferred school
98.9%
Primary admissions across Calderdale (2025/26)
Inspection History(107)
House Prices
Moving into the catchment? See what homes near this school actually cost
SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
3.5753%
Overall absence
8%
Persistent absence
75
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
No reviews yet - be the first to leave one.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
St Mary's CofE (VC) J and I School
Nearby Schools
Do you work at this school?
Claim your profile free to get a verified badge, update your contact details, and see how many parents are viewing your page.