St Joseph's Catholic High School
Slough, SL2 5HW · Slough · secondary school
Check the area around this school
8th of 15 secondary schools in Slough we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 624 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.9/10 among them, against 7.9/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 18 | 35% | 0.63 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 56.4 · 76 | 30% | 2.28 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.45 · 82 | 25% | 2.04 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 54.0 · 83 | 10% | 0.83 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Joseph's Catholic High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 43.4% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 50.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.45 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.3 out of 10 among them, against 6.5 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in May 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join art, chess, debating, drama, languages, and science clubs, alongside homework support. The arts programme includes dance, musicals, and school plays. Trips visit theatres, concerts, galleries, museums, higher education institutions, and Thailand.
Getting in
The published school roll is 988 pupils against a stated capacity of 800. 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 manage class sizes with a roll of 988 against a capacity of 800? What specific support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How does the new Ofsted framework influence current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about St Joseph's Catholic High School
Overview
St Joseph's Catholic High School provides a "nurturing environment" where pupils feel "safe, cared for and included." Leaders have established a "welcoming and caring community" that prioritises wellbeing, resulting in high attendance and positive behaviour. While GCSE outcomes are strong, the report identifies specific areas for development in teaching precision, writing accuracy, and sixth-form provision.
Strengths
- Attendance is "above the national average," with pupils being "consistently punctual" and enjoying the "positive, nurturing community."
- Behaviour is "calm," with pupils who are "polite, courteous and highly respectful," and bullying is "rare."
- Pupils "achieve well in their GCSE examinations," with disadvantaged pupils typically outperforming national peers.
- The curriculum is "broad and ambitious," supported by an "extensive offer of enrichment activities" including sports, arts, and charity work.
- Staff provide "well-considered and effective pastoral care," ensuring pupils feel a strong "sense of belonging."
Areas to improve
- Teachers must check pupils’ understanding more precisely to address misconceptions and deepen knowledge, particularly in personal development.
- Leaders should ensure high expectations for writing accuracy are consistent across the curriculum.
- Adaptations for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities need to be more consistently applied to a high standard.
- Sixth-form students require further support to build confidence, independence, and resilience for their next steps.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 50.5 |
| 2024/25 | 50.1 |
| 2025/26 | 54.0 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 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
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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