St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Ulverston Review 2026: High-performing Catholic primary with early years provision

In the centre of Ulverston, this small Catholic primary combines a clear faith identity with exceptionally strong end of Key Stage 2 outcomes. The school serves children from age 2 through to Year 6, with a two-year-old setting that opened in January 2024.

For parents, the headline is academic: in 2024, 97.67% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, far above the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 52.67% reached greater depth, compared with 8% across England. These figures sit alongside a small-school feel, a Catholic life that shows up in daily routines, and wraparound care that supports working families.

Entry is competitive. The most recent admissions cycle shows 36 applications for 14 offers (2.57 applications per place), so families should plan early and take the admissions criteria seriously.

This is a Catholic school where Gospel values are used as everyday language, not just a prospectus line. Pupils are encouraged to connect their behaviour and relationships to faith-informed virtues, and school life includes prayer, liturgy, and Mass on Holy Days as part of the normal rhythm of the week.

The feel is purposeful and calm. Pupils are described as happy, hard-working, and ready to take on challenge; staff set high expectations and children respond with confidence and focus.

A small roll helps here. The school reports 164 pupils on roll, which typically creates tight relationships between staff, pupils, and families, and it also means children are likely to know each other well across year groups.

Early years provision is a meaningful part of the story. Nursery and pre-school pupils are integrated into whole-school events, helping children feel that the transition into Reception is a step within a familiar community rather than a fresh start. The school also highlights funded early education for eligible families in the 2 to 4 phase.

The performance picture is unusually strong for a small primary.

Key Stage 2 outcomes (2024)

• Expected standard in reading, writing and maths: 97.67%, versus 62% across England.

• Higher standard (greater depth) in reading, writing and maths: 52.67%, versus 8% across England.

• Average scaled scores: Reading 111; maths 108; grammar, punctuation and spelling 109.

• Total combined score (reading, maths, GPS): 328.

These results align with the school’s ranking position. The school ranks 690th in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), and 1st locally in the Ulverston area. This places it well above the England average, within the top 10% of schools in England.

Parents comparing local options can use the FindMySchool Local Hub page and Comparison Tool to view outcomes side by side, especially useful in an area where cohorts can be small and year-to-year results can shift.

Teaching is anchored in basics done extremely well, then extended through a curriculum designed to build knowledge over time.

Reading is treated as a core priority. Phonics is taught systematically and staff are trained to deliver it consistently, with additional support for children who need help catching up.

The curriculum aims for pupils to “learn more and remember more”, with careful sequencing and deliberate use of trips and visits to deepen understanding. History is highlighted as a strength, with logical planning that helps pupils recall prior learning and talk confidently about periods studied.

Mathematics is similarly structured. Regular revisiting of key number facts supports fluency, and pupils are expected to apply skills across varied tasks rather than simply practising procedures.

In early years, the school sets out a play-based approach within the Early Years Foundation Stage, with learning planned across the prime and specific areas, and with indoor and outdoor provision forming part of daily learning.

As a primary school, the main transition point is Year 6 into secondary education. For many families in Ulverston, the natural local route is to Ulverston Victoria High School, an 11 to 18 school serving the town.

The practical implication is that families should think about secondary admissions early, even while focusing on primary. Westmorland and Furness’ coordinated secondary application round for September 2026 entry runs from 03 September 2025, with a deadline of 31 October 2025, and offers communicated on 02 March 2026.

In a Catholic primary, some families will also consider faith-based secondary pathways where available, and it is worth checking whether any preferred secondary schools require supplementary forms as part of the application process.

The school is oversubscribed, so understanding the criteria matters. In the latest recorded cycle, there were 36 applications for 14 offers, and the entry number published for Reception is 15 for September 2026 entry.

For Reception entry in September 2026 (Westmorland and Furness), the key dates are:

• Application deadline: 15 January 2026

• Offer day: 16 April 2026

As a Catholic school, the oversubscription criteria prioritise looked-after children and children with an Education, Health and Care Plan naming the school, then apply faith-related and practical criteria. These include staff priority in defined circumstances, Catholic children attending the nursery at the time of application, sibling priority, and then distance as measured by the local authority’s system.

Because supplementary evidence can be relevant in faith-based admissions, families should read the school’s admissions information carefully and confirm what documentation is required for the relevant category.

Parents considering this school can also use FindMySchool Map Search to check practical realities around location and travel before committing to a shortlist.

Safeguarding practice is described as effective, with staff training, careful recruitment checks, and strong awareness of online and local safety themes for pupils.

Wellbeing support is also tied closely to the Catholic life of the school. Prayer and liturgy are part of the day, and there is a strong emphasis on belonging, service, and charity, which can be a stabilising framework for many pupils.

A small school can be a pastoral advantage. Staff typically know families well and can spot changes quickly, but it also means peer groups are smaller, which some children love and others find limiting, depending on personality.

Extracurricular life focuses strongly on sport and physical activity, with a clear list of regular options. Clubs mentioned by the school include Netball, Running Club, Girls Football, Boys Football, Multi-Skills, Orienteering, Dance, Gymnastics, Forest School Club, and Gardening Club.

The implication for families is twofold. First, active children can find a routine that keeps them moving after the school day, and second, clubs like Forest School and Gardening create a practical link between curriculum themes and lived experience, especially when the school also encourages environmental projects such as tree planting.

Music also has a place. The school’s choir performs at local and national events, which gives pupils a route into public performance and teamwork beyond sport.

The school day is clearly structured. Doors open at 08:30, the start time is 08:40, and home time is 15:20. Extra-curricular clubs typically run until 16:20.

Wraparound care supports working families. Breakfast provision runs from 07:45, and after-school care runs until 17:30.

For travel, Ulverston is compact, and many families will be thinking in terms of walking routes, parking constraints at drop-off, and how sustainable the daily run is across the full week rather than just on a calm day. If you are balancing multiple school options, it is worth mapping the journey at the times you would actually travel.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Families should still budget for the usual extras such as uniform, trips, and optional clubs or childcare.

• Oversubscription pressure. With 36 applications for 14 offers in the latest recorded cycle, entry is competitive. Have a realistic plan B, and keep your timeline organised.

• Faith-based criteria matter. Admissions priorities include Catholic baptism categories, nursery attendance, siblings, and other criteria. Families who do not meet higher-priority categories should read the rules carefully and think about likelihood before relying on a place.

• Inspection evidence is dated. The most recent published Ofsted inspection information is from January 2020, which is now more than five years old. The school may have evolved since then, so visits and up-to-date conversations with the school are important.

• Small-school dynamics. A roll of around 164 pupils can feel family-like and supportive, but it also means year groups may be small, and friendship groups can be less flexible if your child prefers a wider social circle.

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Ulverston combines an explicit Catholic identity with outcomes that place it well above the England average. The day-to-day structure is clear, early years provision is built into the wider school community, and wraparound care makes it workable for many families.

Who it suits: families seeking a small, faith-centred primary where academic expectations are high and children are encouraged to live Gospel values in practical ways. The biggest constraint is admission, so planning early, understanding the criteria, and keeping alternative options open is essential.