Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 3 February 2026
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 | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading, writing & maths — expected | 61% | 59% | 63% |
| Reading, writing & maths — higher | 0% | 7% | 8% |
| Grammar, punctuation & spelling — expected | 67% | 69% | 73% |
| Grammar, punctuation & spelling — higher | 17% | 24% | 30% |
A score of 100 is the expected standard; 110 or more is a higher standard.
| Subject | School | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 104 | 106 | 106 |
| Maths | 100 | 104 | 105 |
| Grammar, punctuation & spelling | 102 | 104 | 105 |
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
86%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
78%
of parents have a positive overall view of the school
65 responses up to 6 April 2026 · 40% response rate
My child is happy at this school.
85% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
86% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
65% agreeMy child has been bullied, and the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.
20% agreeMy child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.
73% agreeOfsted inspected St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Buckfast on 3 February 2026 using a report card, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade. The school met Ofsted's safeguarding standards. It was graded Expected standard for inclusion, for personal development and wellbeing and for early years; Needs attention for achievement, for curriculum and teaching, for leadership and governance and for attendance and behaviour.
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.
No. Distance only counts when St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Buckfast has more applicants than places. Then its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, decide who is offered a place first. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance or a catchment area. As a Roman Catholic school, it can give priority to children on grounds of faith. How far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Buckfast had 163 pupils aged 3 to 11 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 110. It is a mixed school.
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