Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, Barnstaple
Chanters Hill, Barnstaple, EX32 8DNOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, Barnstaple is a primary school in Barnstaple for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 416 schools in Devon. It ranks 9th of 20 primary schools in Barnstaple. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in March 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 4 March 2025, report published 3 April 2025
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 4 March 2025
Pupils enjoy coming to this welcoming school. They are kind and polite to visitors and each other. Pupils are happy and are safe. They know there is a member of staff they can speak to if they have any concerns. Staff have high expectations for pupils' academic achievements. In most subjects, pupils meet these expectations and achieve well. Where outcomes are below national standards, leaders have taken swift actions, and pupils' achievements are now improving. Pupils behave well and have positive attitudes to learning. Older pupils know they are role models for the younger pupils. Pupils are proud of their roles as 'mini chaplains'. Each chaplain is responsible for a year group. They prepare assemblies by choosing the themes and verses to read. These roles help to build pupils' confidence and a sense of responsibility. Pupils have the opportunity to learn to play the guitar or piano. Competitive sporting events help to develop pupils' talents and interests. Visits from science organisations and brass bands help to deepen pupils' understanding of the curriculum. Pupils have a strong understanding of how to stay safe online and in the community.
What the school should improve
- The school offers a limited range of experiences and opportunities for pupils to learn about or visit places beyond the local community. This means pupils do not have experience of communities beyond the local area. As part of curriculum development, leaders, including the trust, should consider the essential experiences and opportunities they want pupils to have in order to fully prepare them for life in modern Britain.
- Improvements to the use of assessment information in the wider curriculum are very recent and have not had an impact on addressing pupils' gaps in knowledge. In a few subjects, pupils do not learn as well as they could. The school must continue its work to refine assessment so that learning builds on what pupils already know and closes gaps in pupils' knowledge across the wider curriculum.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
32 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
214 pupils on roll, with places for 218
Schools near Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, Barnstaple
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashleigh CofE Primary School | 0.2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 79% met the expected standard |
| Yeo Valley Primary School | 0.3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 43% met the expected standard |
| Eden Park Academy | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | 54% met the expected standard |
| Newport Community School Primary Academy | 0.7 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | 52% met the expected standard |
| Pilton Infants' Academy | 0.8 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- PLYMOUTH CAST
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Rob Meech
- Phone
- 01271345164
- Address
- Chanters Hill, Barnstaple, EX32 8DN
- Local authority
- Devon
- URN
- 140739
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.