Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 5 December 2023
Compared with the local authority and England
The share of pupils reaching the standard expected for their age, and the share going beyond it.
| Measure | School | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading, writing & maths — expected | 81% | 62% | 63% |
| Reading, writing & maths — higher | 31% | 8% | 8% |
| Grammar, punctuation & spelling — expected | 94% | 72% | 73% |
| Grammar, punctuation & spelling — higher | 50% | 27% | 30% |
A score of 100 is the expected standard; 110 or more is a higher standard.
| Subject | School | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 111 | 105 | 106 |
| Maths | 109 | 104 | 105 |
| Grammar, punctuation & spelling | 109 | 105 | 105 |
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle's catchment area comes from its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, which decide who is offered a place when more children apply than there are places. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance from home or a catchment boundary, and the school's admissions policy says which it uses. As a Roman Catholic school, it can give priority to children on grounds of faith. Living nearby does not guarantee a place, and how far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle is in County Durham council's area. Check its admissions booklet for how far away places went in recent years. For a Reception place, apply through the council where you live by 15 January in the year your child starts school.
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
97%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
32 responses up to 1 September 2025 · 32% response rate
My child is happy at this school.
100% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
100% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
97% agreeMy child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.
60% agreeThe school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.
81% agreeOfsted last inspected St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle on 5 December 2023 and did not give an overall grade.
Apply through the council where you live by 15 January for a Reception place starting that September. Children start Reception in the September after their fourth birthday. You can usually list between 3 and 6 schools in order of preference, and offers are sent on 16 April, or the next working day. A place in its nursery class does not carry on into Reception, so you still need to apply. As a Roman Catholic school it may also ask for a supplementary form, and its admissions policy says whether it does.
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle's catchment area comes from its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, which decide who is offered a place when more children apply than there are places. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance from home or a catchment boundary, and the school's admissions policy says which it uses. As a Roman Catholic school, it can give priority to children on grounds of faith. Living nearby does not guarantee a place, and how far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle had 100 pupils aged 3 to 11 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 105. It is a mixed school.
Community school
0.4 miles away
Academy converter
0.5 miles away
Community school
3.2 miles away
Voluntary aided school
4.1 miles away
Voluntary controlled school
5.6 miles away