St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Whickham

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 4 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Duckpool Lane, Whickham, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE16 4HBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Whickham is a primary school in Newcastle upon Tyne for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 92 schools in Gateshead. It ranks 8th of 98 primary schools in Newcastle upon Tyne. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2013.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 11 June 2013, report published 3 July 2013

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 May 2025

The school is a warm and welcoming place where pupils are happy and safe. It has high ambitions for what pupils can achieve. These ambitions are generally realised. Relationships between staff and pupils are respectful and positive. The school has established clear routines and high expectations for behaviour. These are consistently applied by staff and met by pupils. Pupils develop a secure understanding of democracy and individual liberty, preparing them for life in modern Britain. Pupils are taught how to stay safe online. They understand the risks associated with sharing personal information and know how to report concerns and protect themselves from harm. Pupils explore a wide range of extra-curricular clubs that help them to discover and develop personal interests. Pupils put these developing skills to the test when they compete against other schools in a variety of different sports. This develops pupils' perseverance and commitment, teaching them how to win and lose with respect. Pupils learn how to navigate real-world risks confidently and responsibly. This includes topics such as road, fire and water safety. As a result, pupils are equipped with essential life skills and decision-making strategies.

What the school should improve

  • In some foundation subjects, strategies to check and help pupils retain key learning are not consistently effective. As a result, some pupils continue to have gaps in their knowledge and do not develop a secure understanding across the curriculum. The school should ensure that approaches to support pupils in remembering and building on prior learning are consistently effective across all subjects, so that pupils know more and remember more over time.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

31 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths90%

90%, 28 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths26%

26%, 18 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score111

111, 5 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score109

109, 4 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score112

112, 7 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

189 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals6.9%

6.9%, 19.6 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language2.1%

2.1%, 19.5 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support7.9%

7.9%, 6.9 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan1.6%

1.6%, 4.4 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Whickham

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Washingwell Community Primary School0.4 milesOfsted judgements: Good57% met the expected standard
Swalwell Primary School0.5 milesOfsted: Good54% met the expected standard
Front Street Community Primary School0.5 milesOfsted: Outstanding82% met the expected standard
Dunston Hill Community Primary School0.7 milesOfsted: Good60% met the expected standard
Fellside Community Primary School0.9 milesOfsted: Good90% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
BISHOP WILKINSON CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Roman Catholic
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mr Joseph Wheatley
Address
Duckpool Lane, Whickham, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE16 4HB
Local authority
Gateshead
URN
149053

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.