St Mary's R.C. Primary School, Flintshire

St Mary's R.C. Primary School is an English-medium school in Wales. Welsh schools are inspected by Estyn rather than Ofsted, and its latest report is published on Estyn's website.

It had 277 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

26% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 10% have additional learning needs (23% in 2020/21); 26% are learning English as an additional language; and 31% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 29 pupils (Reception) to 43 (Year 4).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £5,157 per pupil, against £3,978 in 2021-22. It carried forward £60k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its November 2025 inspection summarises St Mary's R.C. Primary School like this:

"The headteacher has a clear vision for the school based on creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where all pupils are able to progress. A strong sense of mutual respect and trust exists between staff and pupils, creating a positive atmosphere throughout the school. The school has a strong partnership with parents, supported by effective communication and regular updates on pupil progress. This helps to ensure a supportive learning community that strengthens pupils’ confidence and eagerness to learn. Most pupils make good progress from their individual starting points, including those with additional learning needs (ALN) or those acquiring English as an additional language. Most pupils are polite and respectful and show enjoyment in their learning."

"They know how to keep themselves safe and healthy, and nearly all benefit from the learning support they receive. Although most pupils enjoy coming to school, the levels of persistent absence remain too high. The curriculum is broad and balanced and provides a range of meaningful learning experiences. Teachers use a range of strategies to successfully engage the interest of pupils, and learning activities provide appropriate challenge for most pupils. Most pupils are enthusiastic about their education. However, in older classes, over-direction, at times, limits their opportunities to make choices about how to present their learning."

"Teachers and support staff provide effective support for the development of pupils’ speaking and listening, reading and writing skills. Digital and spoken Welsh skills are developed effectively. Number skills are secure, though opportunities to apply numeracy across the curriculum are less frequent. Governors are well-informed about the school’s strengths and areas to develop, and they provide effective challenge and support for school leaders. Staff benefit from a range of professional learning activities that have a positive effect on the standards of teaching and learning and the progress pupils make."

Estyn made 3 recommendations: (1) Increase the opportunities for older pupils to make choices about how to present their learning; (2) Improve opportunities for pupils to apply their numeracy skills across the curriculum; (3) Improve rates of persistent absence.

The nearest other state primary schools to St Mary's R.C. Primary School are Ysgol Gymraeg Croes Atti (0.3 miles), Gwynedd C.P. School (0.3 miles), Cornist Park C.P. School (0.9 miles) and Merllyn C.P. School (2.3 miles).

The nearest railway station is Flint Rail Station, about 890 metres away (roughly a 11-minute walk).

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Ffordd Glyndwr (before), 170 metres away.