St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Harrogate, A Voluntary Academy
Harrogate, HG1 2DP · North Yorkshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
27th of 252 primary schools in North Yorkshire we can score, 290 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 1,942 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.2/10 among them, against 8.4/10 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 | 80.0 · 88 | 40% | 3.51 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 13.0 · 78 | 25% | 1.94 |
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, Harrogate, A Voluntary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 80.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 13.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2025. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.2 out of 10 among them, against 8.4 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Little Joe's Before and After School Club, Wharfe Valley Active Club, and Mini Vinnies. Sports include orienteering and swimming, with trips and residentials offered. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 191 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 to progress from the expected to the higher standard? What does a typical day look like for a child attending the Wharfe Valley Active Club? How are places allocated for the upcoming entry year?
What Ofsted said about St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Harrogate, A Voluntary Academy
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 “warm and nurturing” environment where pupils thrive, supported by “deeply respectful relationships” and high expectations for conduct. Leadership has successfully maintained a broad, well-considered curriculum that motivates pupils to work hard and achieve highly.
Strengths
- Pupils are “enthusiastic and committed learners” who leave the school “well prepared for the next stage of their education.”
- Behaviour is a strength, with classrooms described as an “oasis of calm” where learning takes place without interruption.
- The curriculum is “well considered, broad, and motivates pupils to work hard,” with new learning building carefully on prior knowledge.
- Reading is a high priority; nearly all pupils read fluently by the end of key stage 1, supported by a strong focus on phonics in the early years.
- Staff feel “well consulted” and appreciate support regarding workload and well-being, describing the school as a “supportive place to work.”
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, assessment checks are not used effectively to plan future lessons, meaning “gaps in pupils’ knowledge go unaddressed.”
- Tasks for some pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are not always sufficiently matched to their specific needs, preventing them from practising the skills they require most.
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 | 70% |
| 2023/24 | 80% |
| 2024/25 | 80% |
| 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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