St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate
Durham, DH1 2JQ · County Durham · primary school
Check the area around this school
54th of 188 primary schools in County Durham we can score, 208 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 — 7.5/10 against 2,690 of them, against 6.5/10 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 | 100.0 · 100 | 40% | 3.99 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
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, Gilesgate overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 100.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. However, 0.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in February 2025. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in Mini Vinnies, dance, gymnastics, hockey, swimming, football, and athletics, with trips to Beamish.
Getting in
The published school roll is 86 pupils against a stated capacity of 157. 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 reach the expected standard but not the higher standard? What specific support is available for children who need additional help with reading?
What Ofsted said about St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate
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 fosters a “highly inclusive culture” where pupils are “welcoming and friendly” and feel safe within a “calm and orderly” environment. Leaders demonstrate ambition for all pupils, with particular progress noted in early reading and the development of a coherent curriculum.
Strengths
- The school maintains a “highly inclusive culture” where pupils are treated equally and behave “appropriately and respectfully.”
- Staff teach the phonics programme “very effectively,” with disadvantaged pupils achieving well and struggling readers identified quickly for support.
- A “coherently designed and ambitious curriculum” has been created across all subjects, supported by comprehensive staff training.
- Pupils benefit from a “therapeutic approach” and bespoke curriculum tailored to their needs, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Leaders provide effective support, and staff appreciate efforts to improve their “workload and well-being.”
Areas to improve
- In some lessons, curriculum delivery is not sufficiently adapted, resulting in tasks that are “too challenging” for a minority of pupils, causing disengagement.
- Some disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND do not attend school as regularly as possible, risking them falling behind their peers.
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 | 44% |
| 2023/24 | 45% |
| 2024/25 | 100% |
| 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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