St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Malmesbury
Malmesbury, SN16 9BB · Wiltshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
147th of 181 primary schools in Wiltshire we can score, 201 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.7/10 against 2,785 of them, against 1.1/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 43.0 · 11 | 40% | 0.42 |
| 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, Malmesbury overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 43.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0%, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2023.
Getting in
The published school roll is 77 pupils against a stated capacity of 150. 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 literacy? What specific strategies are used to help children reach the higher standard in maths? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while addressing these attainment gaps?
What Ofsted said about St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Malmesbury
Overview
Pupils enjoy attending this school, finding lessons interesting and feeling safe to make mistakes. The report describes an inclusive environment where relationships are "warm and nurturing" and staff have high expectations for behaviour. Leaders are ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and have prioritised improving the quality of education since 2019.
Strengths
- Pupils progress well through a curriculum designed to meet the needs of all, with a strong focus on reading and phonics.
- Staff are skilled at identifying misconceptions and adapting learning so pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities can access the full curriculum.
- The school fosters strong spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, with pupils celebrating diversity and understanding different beliefs.
- Behaviour is excellent, with no disruption in lessons and pupils taking ownership of their work and persevering when tasks are difficult.
Areas to improve
- Governors need to work more strategically and monitor the curriculum with greater precision to better understand the school’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Leaders must develop the curriculum across all subjects to ensure pupils have more opportunities to make links between new and prior knowledge, deepening their understanding.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders ensuring staff are trained to identify vulnerabilities and responding quickly to concerns while working effectively with external agencies.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 61% |
| 2023/24 | 73% |
| 2024/25 | 43% |
| 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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