Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy
Sowerby Bridge, HX6 1BL · Calderdale · primary school
Check the area around this school
42nd of 76 primary schools in Calderdale we can score, 81 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 5.3/10 against 1,775 of them, against 4.4/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 60.0 · 39 | 40% | 1.56 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 7.0 · 51 | 25% | 1.27 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 60.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 7.0% of pupils, matching the national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
The school offers a breakfast club, an Acorns Wrap Around Care Club, an Acorns After School Club, and swimming.
Getting in
The published school roll is 150 pupils against a stated capacity of 175. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who are below the expected standard in maths? What specific activities take place during the Acorns Wrap Around Care Club? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating following the 2023 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy
Overview
Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy continues to be a good school. Pupils feel happy and safe, displaying enthusiasm for learning and caring behaviour towards others. The school provides an excellent education for the all-round development of children, with staff acting as kind and respectful role models.
Strengths
- Pupils behave well, knowing they are responsible for their own actions and understanding that adults are available to resolve minor conflicts.
- The curriculum is planned to engage pupils, with subjects organised so knowledge is learned in a carefully planned order.
- Pupils learn to read well, supported by a well-delivered phonics scheme and a wide range of books that encourage a love of reading.
- Senior leaders provide excellent staff support, including ongoing training and consideration for workload, ensuring effective succession planning.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities access the curriculum effectively, benefiting from established procedures that help them learn.
Areas to improve
- In some foundation subjects, curriculum planning does not make strong enough links with prior knowledge, preventing pupils from building secure knowledge bases.
- The academy council requires good quality training to better equip members to challenge and support the school leadership team.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with clear procedures in place and all staff understanding that keeping children safe is everybody’s responsibility.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 57% |
| 2023/24 | 55% |
| 2024/25 | 60% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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