St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland
Sunderland, SR4 6HY · Sunderland · primary school
Check the area around this school
9th of 73 primary schools in Sunderland we can score, 81 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 — 9.8/10 against 4,169 of them, against 9.7/10 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 | 90.0 · 98 | 40% | 3.90 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 28.0 · 97 | 25% | 2.43 |
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, Sunderland overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 90.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 28.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (9.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 9.7 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in February 2025.
Getting in
The published school roll is 247 pupils against a stated capacity of 310. 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 working towards the higher standard in maths? What specific trips or external visits are planned for the current academic year? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the recent inspection?
What Ofsted said about St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland
Overview
This ungraded inspection found that the school’s work has “improved significantly across all areas” since its previous rating. The school is described as “welcoming” with “very highest academic expectations,” where pupils achieve standards “well above the national average” in core subjects.
Strengths
- Pupils make “exceptional progress across the curriculum” and are “very well prepared for the demands of secondary education.”
- Behaviour is “exemplary,” with pupils being “highly respectful” and demonstrating “first-class attitudes to learning.”
- The curriculum is “adapted well for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND),” who make “excellent progress.”
- Early years provision is of “extremely high quality,” with teachers delivering phonics “expertly” so the “overwhelming majority” are confident readers by Year 1.
- The school provides a “safe place of learning” where diversity is celebrated and pupils feel “loving and caring.”
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
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 | 90% |
| 2023/24 | 76% |
| 2024/25 | 90% |
| 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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