Academic achievement at the Lower School
We use a selection of tests to monitor our pupils’ progress and to make sure they are achieving to the best of their ability. Our school is not academically selective, so these excellent results demonstrate the effectiveness of teaching and learning at St Mary’s.
The National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE) has recently reaccredited the Lower School with the NACE Challenge Award. This award is given in recognition of commitment to high-quality provision for more able learners within the context of challenge for all.
Early Years Foundation Stage
Achieving a Good Level of Development means that pupils have met the Early Learning Goal or Exceeded in all the Prime Areas of Learning (Communication and Language, Physical Development and Personal, Social and Emotional Development) as well as achieving the Early Learning Goal or Exceeded in Mathematics and Literacy.
2023 – 2024: 90% of pupils in Prep attained a Good Level of Development against the Early Years framework. This is compared to the national average of 67.2% (2023).
Statutory Assessment Tests
Attainment and Progress
Progress scores compare pupils’ key stage 2 results to those of other pupils nationally with similar prior attainment. Therefore, only pupils who took KS1 and KS2 tests are used in this data task. Progress scores are centred around 0 with most schools within -5 to +5.
A positive score means pupils in this school on average do better at KS2 as those with similar prior attainment nationally. Value added scores are not comparable year on year as the data reflects the different cohorts.
Attainment data shows all pupils who took the KS2 tests.
| End of KS2 SATs Results 2025 |
St Mary’s Results |
National (2025)
Greater depth % |
| Reading – Expected Standard |
100% |
75% |
| Reading – High Standard |
90% |
33% |
| Reading – Average Scaled Score |
113 |
106 |
| Writing* – Expected Standard |
95% |
72% |
| Writing* – Greater Depth |
42% |
13% |
| Grammar, punctuation and spelling – Expected Standard |
95% |
73% |
| Grammar, punctuation and spelling – High Standard |
58% |
30% |
| Grammar, punctuation and spelling – Average Scaled Scores |
110 |
104 |
| Maths – Expected Standard |
100% |
74% |
| Maths – High Standard |
74% |
26% |
| Maths – Average Scaled Score |
112 |
105 |
From 19 pupils who took KS2 SATS 37% achieved a higher standard across all 3 subject areas – Reading (110+), Maths (110+) and Writing (working at greater depth)
INCAS Testing
(National Average 100)
The InCAS (Interactive Computerised Assessment System) provides a wealth of information. It highlights pupils’ strengths and weaknesses so that teachers can determine the extent of the pupils’ knowledge and skills. The pupils at St Mary’s sit these tests at the beginning of the academic year and the results enable us to track progress. These results show the mean standardised scores in the year groups tested and shows that the pupils are working above expected level (national 100).
| 2023-24 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
Year 5 |
Year 6 |
| Reading |
109 |
114 |
113 |
115 |
119 |
| General Maths |
109 |
115 |
113 |
119 |
113 |
| Mental Maths |
94 |
111 |
107 |
109 |
110 |
| Developed ability |
100 |
120 |
113 |
123 |
115 |
| Mean (Reading,
Gen Maths,
Mental Maths) |
104 |
113 |
111 |
114 |
114 |
11+
There is a high 11+ pass rate for those who choose to sit the exam and we are the largest feeder to Colchester County High School for Girls (CCHSG). In 2025, 8 pupils out of a class of 19 were offered places at CCHSG.
Scholarships
St Mary’s Lower School pupils have a strong record of achieving Scholarship offers for our Senior School. Scholarships offered include Academic, STEM, Art, Music, Drama and Sport. All-Round Miss Comrie Scholarships are also available to St Mary’s Lower School pupils progressing to the Senior School.
