St Margaret's Catholic Voluntary Academy Review 2026: Small Catholic primary with strong wraparound and outdoor learning

A like for like national comparison on Key Stage 2 performance is not the most helpful lens here, partly because small cohorts can make year-to-year results volatile and less representative. Instead, the most reliable public signal is the quality of curriculum thinking and the consistency of teaching, as assessed through external inspection and through what the school publishes about its curriculum.

The latest Ofsted inspection, dated 2 February 2023 and published 17 March 2023, confirmed the school continues to be Good.

The curriculum model places a visible emphasis on breadth, including modern foreign language as a focus area in the inspection process, alongside early reading and mathematics. For parents, the practical implication is that the school is aiming for coherent subject coverage rather than narrowing prematurely to test preparation.

Forest School is a clear example of how learning is framed. It is not presented as a one-off enrichment activity, but scheduled at class level on a repeating cycle, which supports routines around outdoor skills, teamwork, and independence.

As a primary school, the key transition question is Year 7. Derbyshire secondary transfer is coordinated through the local authority, and families should plan with an eye on travel times across Glossop and the High Peak area, as well as faith versus non-faith options if that matters to them.

If you are shortlisting several local primaries with an eye on later outcomes, the FindMySchool Comparison Tool can help you view local options side by side, and the Map Search is useful for understanding likely travel patterns to your preferred secondaries.

Reception applications are made through Derbyshire’s coordinated admissions process. For children starting school in September 2026, Derbyshire states that applications open on 10 November 2025, with a closing deadline of midnight on 15 January 2026. Offers are issued on 16 April 2026, and Derbyshire lists 15 May 2026 as the closing date for submitting an appeal for Derbyshire schools.

Because the school is Catholic, there is an additional step for families who want to be considered under faith criteria. The school asks applicants to complete a supplementary information form and submit supporting evidence, such as a baptism certificate, by the deadline. This does not replace the local authority application, it sits alongside it.

A practical tip is to treat admissions as a two-track process: local authority application for the place, and supplementary evidence if you want faith criteria to apply. If you are unsure whether faith criteria will matter in practice for your child’s application, ask the school how oversubscription criteria were applied in the most recent allocation round.

In small schools, pastoral strengths often come from consistency. Pupils are less likely to feel anonymous, and day-to-day routines can be more stable because there are fewer parallel classes and fewer staff handovers. That said, small size can also mean fewer friendship groups to move between, so families should consider whether their child thrives in a very tight community or prefers a bigger social pool.

Wraparound provision is a key practical pastoral support here. The school’s wraparound arrangements are structured, staffed, and run within the school setting, which can be a significant help for working families.

Outdoor learning is the most distinctive thread. Forest School appears as a regular feature for classes, and it is tied to practical requirements, such as waterproof clothing and wellies, which is usually a sign that it is used properly rather than symbolically.

Beyond that, school communications reference clubs and activities that include Choir, Dance, and Multi-sports, with pupils moving from those clubs into after-school provision when booked. That is a useful detail because it suggests extracurricular activities are integrated into the real timetable, not bolted on.

There are also signs of structured sport experiences through events with local organisations, for example a rugby festival hosted through Glossop Rugby Club in September, which is the kind of community link that can build confidence for pupils who enjoy team sport but are not necessarily already club players.

The school day is clearly defined. Gates open at 8:30am and close at 8:45am, with registration from 8:45am to 9:00am, and the school day ending at 3:15pm.

Wraparound care runs Monday to Friday in term time, with Breakfast Club from 7:30am to 8:45am and After School Club from 3:15pm to 6:00pm. Published session prices include £5 for Breakfast Club from 7:30am to 8:45am, and After School Club options of £3 to 4:00pm, £6 to 5:00pm, and £9 to 6:00pm.

Transport practicality is mostly about local driving and walking routes across Gamesley and the surrounding Glossop area. Families who rely on walking should pay attention to winter weather and the school’s outdoor focus, which can make a difference to day-to-day kit and comfort.

• Very small cohort feel. This can be a major strength for belonging and early confidence, but it also means a smaller friendship pool and fewer parallel classes. Ofsted’s published profile lists 40 pupils on roll, which is unusually small for a capacity of 161.

• Catholic admissions process. Families applying on faith grounds need to complete the supplementary form and provide evidence, as well as applying through Derbyshire. If you miss the supplementary deadline, your application may be considered under different criteria.

• Outdoor learning is a real expectation. Forest School and routine outdoor time can be brilliant for many children, but it is not ideal for everyone. Expect a stronger emphasis on waterproofs and outdoor footwear than at more indoor-focused schools.

• Wraparound is term-time only. The published wraparound information states there is no provision on INSET days or during school holidays, which matters for families needing year-round coverage.

A distinctive option for families who want a Catholic primary with a genuinely small-school feel, strong wraparound structure, and an outdoor-learning tilt that fits the local setting. Best suited to pupils who thrive in a close community, benefit from consistent routines, and enjoy learning that extends beyond the classroom. The main question for many families is admissions practicality, both the Derbyshire application timeline and, where relevant, the additional faith documentation.