Getting a Reception place in 2026
0.47 miles
Last year, children living within 0.47 miles of St Mary's Church of England Infant School were offered a Reception place on distance.
60places, all filled
80families put it first
148listed it at all
Year by year since 2021
It moves a lot from year to year, so don't rely on one year alone.
More about how places were given
60 Reception places for September 2026; 60 offered on national offer day.
80 families put it first; 148 listed it as any preference.
The furthest distance offered a place on distance was 0.47 miles.
Distances change every year. Looked-after children, siblings, catchment and faith can come before distance. Check the admissions policy before you apply.
Last distance offered, September 2026 Reception entry, Gloucestershire County Council. Earlier years: allocation-day tables, Gloucestershire County Council. What this means
Closing date for Reception and junior applications: Midnight, 15 January 2027. Key dates
In short.
Worth knowing
- The distance that got a place has moved between 0.47 and 0.89 miles since 2021.
SATs
–
Taken in Year 6
Ofsted
Good
Full inspection, 2023
Class size
29
▲ Higher than typical (26)
Lessons missed
5.4%
▲ Higher than typical (4.7%)
Children per teacher
23.1
▲ Higher than typical (19.7)
Typical is the middle school when all 243 Gloucestershire primaries are lined up, half above and half below. Tap a box for the detail.
How places are given.
This school sets its own admission rules. If more families apply than there are places, it uses the order in its policy, which can include brothers and sisters, children of staff, faith or a catchment area.
Read the school's admission rules for September 2027 (PDF)
Free school transport. If this is your nearest suitable school and the walking route is more than 2 miles (children under 8) or 3 miles (8 and over), the council usually provides free transport. Families on lower incomes can get help over shorter distances. School transport
Visit the school.
We haven't found published open day dates for this school. Most primary schools are happy to show families round between November and January: check the school's website or call 01242383817 to arrange a visit. See every open day we know about.
SATs results.
Infant schools teach children up to Year 2, so they do not sit the Year 6 SATs, and there are no published results to show.
Where it ranks in Gloucestershire
Positions are among Gloucestershire state primary and junior schools with a published figure. 1st means the highest results. Typical is the school in the middle when they are lined up from highest to lowest. Jargon buster.
Ofsted.
Ofsted
Good
Full inspection, 2023
“Pupils thrive at this friendly and welcoming school. Leaders and staff aim high. They strive for pupils to be resilient, to communicate and show teamwork. They call this ‘The Prestbury Learner’. It is at the core of the school’s work and helps pupils to succeed. […]”
Read the full report (PDF) · Ofsted, Open Government Licence.
Inspection history (4 reports)
- 08 February 2023School inspection: Good · report
- 09 July 2009Full inspection: Outstanding · report
- 24 May 2006Full inspection: Outstanding · report
- 08 November 1999Full inspection · report
Grades from different years were given under different rules, so they are not directly comparable. Reports from before a school became an academy are listed under its old school on the Ofsted website.
What parents told Ofsted.
Not enough parents filled in Ofsted's Parent View survey for this school to publish results. Ofsted only publishes a school's results once 10 or more parents have answered (November 2025 to September 2026).
See this school on Ofsted Parent View, or add your own views if your child goes there.
Day to day.
Pupils
Attendance and behaviour
Teachers and money
Behaviour policies differ between schools, so compare suspensions with care. Pupils and staff: school census and workforce census, Department for Education.
Questions parents ask.
How close do you need to live to get a place at St Mary's Church of England Infant School?
Last year, children living within 0.47 miles of St Mary's Church of England Infant School were offered a Reception place on distance. Year by year since 2021: 2021: 0.66 miles; 2022: 0.89 miles; 2023: 0.59 miles; 2024: 0.59 miles; 2025: 0.51 miles; 2026: 0.47 miles. It moves a lot from year to year, so don't rely on one year alone. Distances change every year, and children in priority groups (such as looked-after children and brothers or sisters of current pupils) can get places before distance is used.
How many families applied to St Mary's Church of England Infant School?
For September 2026 Reception entry, 80 families put St Mary's Church of England Infant School as their first choice and 148 listed it as one of their choices, for 60 places. (Gloucestershire County Council)
What did Ofsted say about St Mary's Church of England Infant School?
Rated Good by Ofsted at its last full inspection (8 February 2023).
How do I apply for a place at St Mary's Church of England Infant School?
You apply to your home council, not to the school. If you live in Gloucestershire, that is Gloucestershire County Council. For September 2027 entry, apply by midnight, 15 January 2027. Offers are sent on 16 April 2027.
Contact and nearby.
Bouncers Lane, Prestbury, Cheltenham, GL52 5JB
Executive Head Teacher: Mr Matthew Ferris
Nearby primary schools
Spotted something wrong on this page? Tell us
This is a guide, not an admissions decision. Figures come from the Department for Education, Ofsted and Gloucestershire County Council and were last updated 7 November 2026. Always check the school's admissions policy and the council's admissions pages before applying. How admissions work