St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage
Northbrook Road, Swanage, BH19 1QEOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage is a primary school in Swanage for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 179 schools in Dorset. It ranks 36th of 88 primary schools in Dorset. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2022.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 22 June 2022, report published 21 September 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 22 June 2022
Pupils enjoy attending this welcoming and inclusive school. The school's motto of 'Be Loving and Truthful' is an integral part of school life. The whole school community has high expectations of what pupils can achieve. Staff put in place strong pastoral support. Most parents are appreciative of the school's caring ethos. Pupils like coming to school. They appreciate the range of opportunities the school provides beyond the classroom, including music, sport, residential trips and visits. Pupils learn to be considerate members of the community through activities such as fundraising. Pupils are polite and courteous to each other. They behave well in lessons and around the school. Pupils say that behaviour is good most of the time. When any disruption to learning occurs, adults sort it out quickly. Pupils say bullying is rare. They say that if it were to happen, adults would deal with it sensitively. Pupils understand the importance of being respectful and tolerant. They know what it means to be a friend. Pupils have a good understanding of difference and that all people should be treated equally. Pupils talk about the importance of 'having a voice' and know their opinions are respected.
What the school should improve
- In some of the wider curriculum subjects, leaders have not mapped out the precise sequences of knowledge that pupils should learn and remember. Consequently, this inhibits pupils from building on their learning over time. Leaders need to ensure that sequences of work are broken down into relevant component parts so that pupils know more and remember more across all subjects.
- Assessment is not used consistently well to check pupils' knowledge. As a result, teachers are not always clear what pupils know and understand. Leaders need to ensure that systems and processes are in place so that teachers check and identify how well pupils know and remember the intended curriculum.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
31 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
175 pupils on roll, with places for 210
Schools near St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swanage Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 47% met the expected standard |
| Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 43% met the expected standard |
| St George's Church of England Primary School, Langton Matravers | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 67% met the expected standard |
| Corfe Castle Church of England Primary School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 57% met the expected standard |
| Lilliput Church of England Infant School | 6 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- PLYMOUTH CAST
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mr Alan Frame
- Phone
- 01929424909
- Address
- Northbrook Road, Swanage, BH19 1QE
- Local authority
- Dorset
- URN
- 140780
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.