St Mary's Catholic Primary School

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

Cobden Road, Worthing, BN11 4BDOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

St Mary's Catholic Primary School is a primary school in Worthing for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 332 schools in West Sussex. It ranks 10th of 20 primary schools in Worthing. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2019.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 16 October 2019, report published 21 November 2019

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 May 2025

The school has high expectations for pupils to learn well and succeed. The school's values of 'Living, Loving and Learning' are embedded. The carefully designed curriculum and personal development offer reflects this ambition. Staff endeavour to support both pupils and their families with any issues they may have. This strong pastoral support helps pupils to be happy and enjoy school. As a result, pupils feel valued, listened to and safe. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who speak English as an additional language learn well alongside their classmates. In many subjects across the curriculum, pupils remember the key knowledge that has been set for their learning. Pupils play together harmoniously at breaktimes, where they have fun and enjoy being with one another. They are polite and considerate of the views and opinions of others. The school looks to be welcoming, which helps those who are new to the school settle quickly. Educational visits and visitors to school are meaningfully linked to pupils' learning. Pupils contribute to the local community, such as by visiting local residential homes and supporting the food bank. Pupils understand different religions, value diversity and recognise the importance of equality and respect.

What the school should improve

  • Sometimes pupils do not receive the high-quality reading support that they need. This limits their ability to read texts with accuracy and fluency. The school should ensure that the pupils receive regular, high-quality provision to become confident and fluent readers.
  • Some pupils do not attend school regularly enough and others do not arrive on time at the start of the school day. As a result, these pupils miss important learning and do not make the progress that they should. The school should continue to develop their systems to ensure that parents understand the importance of regular attendance and punctuality.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

26 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths54%

54%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths12%

12%, 4 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score105

105, 1 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score101

101, 4 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score101

101, 4 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

253 pupils on roll, with places for 225

Eligible for free school meals11.5%

11.5%, 15 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language33.6%

33.6%, 12 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support13.4%

13.4%, 1.4 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan7.9%

7.9%, 1.9 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near St Mary's Catholic Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Heene CofE Primary School0.1 milesOfsted: Inadequate43% met the expected standard
Homefield Primary School and SSC0.8 milesOfsted: Good53% met the expected standard
Springfield Infant School and Nursery0.8 milesOfsted judgements: OutstandingNot published
Lancing College Preparatory School at Worthing0.9 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
Broadwater CofE Primary School0.9 milesOfsted: Good77% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
BOSCO CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Roman Catholic
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mrs Gemma Irvine
Address
Cobden Road, Worthing, BN11 4BD
Local authority
West Sussex
URN
144401

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.