St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Bridgwater
Bridgwater, TA6 7EE · Somerset · primary school
Check the area around this school
69th of 156 primary schools in Somerset we can score, 219 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 the 3,899 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.8/10 among 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 | 54.0 · 26 | 40% | 1.03 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 12.0 · 74 | 25% | 1.85 |
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 Primary School, Bridgwater overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 54.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 12.0% achieved it, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2025. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.8 out of 10 among them, against 4.4 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club for wraparound care.
Getting in
The published school roll is 199 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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 national median in core subjects? What specific activities take place during the breakfast and after-school clubs? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while addressing the gap in similar-intake performance?
What Ofsted said about St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Bridgwater
Overview
This ungraded inspection confirms that St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The school is described as a “calm place” where pupils are “proud to be part of this school” and demonstrate core values such as “stewardship, respect, curiosity, forgiveness and love.” Most pupils achieve well across the curriculum and are “well prepared for their next stage of learning.”
Strengths
- Pupils exhibit excellent behaviour, being “polite and friendly” and moving around the school in an “orderly manner.”
- The reading curriculum has a “clear order,” ensuring most pupils are “competent readers” by key stage 2 through systematic phonics and fluency practice.
- Mathematics is “well designed,” helping pupils build knowledge in a “logical order” and apply it to solve problems effectively.
- Staff maintain “high expectations” and provide strong support, including a “buddy group system” to help pupils manage feelings and settle in.
- Pupils engage enthusiastically with the new curriculum and take pride in leadership roles, such as caring for the school environment.
Areas to improve
- Individual plans for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) “lack precision,” meaning targets do not clearly identify specific support needed, hindering progress.
- In some newly designed curriculum subjects, tasks do not adequately help teachers check how well pupils have “secured their knowledge,” resulting in unclear gaps in understanding.
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 | 59% |
| 2023/24 | 71% |
| 2024/25 | 54% |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of TA6 7EE, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT