St Mary's Catholic Primary School

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 2 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Dunstable Road, Caddington, Luton, LU1 4BBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

St Mary's Catholic Primary School is a primary school in Luton for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 134 schools in Central Bedfordshire. It ranks 20th of 41 primary schools in Luton. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in April 2022.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 26 April 2022, report published 26 June 2022

Overall effectiveness
Good
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 7 July 2026

Pupils are proud to attend this school. Pupils and their families benefit from strong and trusting relationships with staff. They speak kindly about the adults who support them. This creates a strong sense of community that is evident across all areas of the school's work. As a result, pupils feel safe and secure in their learning. They greet each other warmly with smiles and friendly interactions. Pupils display a sense of pride in their school. They benefit from high-quality outdoor facilities such as a tennis court, playhouses and a running track. They enjoy these while interacting harmoniously at breaktime. These positive interactions and opportunities mean that pupils behave well. They value the restorative approach to behaviour modelled by staff and the warmth they are shown. Pupils achieve well. This is because of the depth and precision in the planning of the ambitious curriculum. It enables all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to build their knowledge and skills progressively and securely. Consequently, they develop a secure foundation of core knowledge and skills. They are well equipped for the next stages in their education and future lives. The school's high expectations of behaviour and conduct are established in the early years. Children act kindly and respectfully towards each other through well-embedded routines. This positive behaviour continues throughout the school. Pupils can talk confidently about the school's behaviour curriculum and how it positively impacts their lives at school. Pupils benefit from a meticulously planned programme of personal development and wellbeing. This enables them to be active, caring and responsible citizens in the diverse local community. Pupils also value the wide range of extra-curricular opportunities on offer, including visits to local zoos, theme parks and farms.

What the school should improve

  • Leaders should now ensure that misconceptions in pupils' work are recognised and acted upon so that they are rectified over time.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

21 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths62%

62%, the same as the England average.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths14%

14%, 6 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score104

104, 2 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score105

105, the same as the England average.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score105

105, the same as the England average.

Pupil numbers and mix

229 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals20.1%

20.1%, 6.4 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language38%

38%, 16.4 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support11.4%

11.4%, 3.4 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.8%

4.8%, 1.2 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near St Mary's Catholic Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St. Augustine's Academy0.5 milesOfsted: Good32% met the expected standard
Ardley Hill Academy0.8 milesOfsted: Good60% met the expected standard
Watling Lower School1 mileOfsted: GoodNot published
St Christophers Academy1 mileOfsted judgements: Good33% met the expected standard
Lark Rise Academy1 mileOfsted judgements: Outstanding88% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
ST THOMAS CATHOLIC ACADEMIES TRUST
Age range
2 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Roman Catholic
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mrs Amanda Dowling
Address
Dunstable Road, Caddington, Luton, LU1 4BB
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire
URN
145324

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.