Saint Joseph's Catholic Primary School, the Borough
London, SE1 1NJ · Southwark · primary school
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13th of 62 primary schools in Southwark we can score, 66 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 — 9.8/10 against 1,059 of them, against 9.2/10 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 | 83.0 · 92 | 40% | 3.67 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 21.0 · 93 | 25% | 2.32 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Saint Joseph's Catholic Primary School, the Borough overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 83.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the figure was 21.0% against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (9.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 9.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join cooking and gardening clubs, play football, multi-sports, gymnastics, or dance, and learn violin, recorder, African drumming, or choir. Year 6 students go on a residential trip, and an after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 175 pupils against a stated capacity of 225. 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 does the Year 6 residential trip typically involve? How does the after-school club operate on days with early finishes?
What Ofsted said about Saint Joseph's Catholic Primary School, the Borough
Overview
Saint Joseph’s Catholic Primary School continues to be a good school, described as an “inclusive place to learn” where values of diversity and equality are actively practised. Pupils display “positive and sensible” behaviour, feel safe, and attend regularly, while staff maintain high expectations for academic achievement across all year groups.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “ambitious” and generally well-sequenced, allowing pupils to build subject knowledge year on year, particularly in mathematics and early years.
- Reading is treated as a “priority,” with phonics teaching starting in the first week of Reception and daily support provided for those needing additional help.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are taught the “same ambitious curriculum” as their peers, with teaching personalised to support their access.
- Staff use “carefully selected assessment approaches” to identify and address misconceptions, ensuring pupils understand what they are learning.
- Leaders and the governing body provide “effective strategic oversight,” with a clear focus on staff well-being and engagement with parents.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, detailed curriculum planning is still a “work in progress,” meaning pupils’ recall of prior learning is not as secure, which limits their ability to link new knowledge to previous studies.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 62% |
| 2023/24 | 71% |
| 2024/25 | 83% |
| 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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