St Joseph's Catholic School
Salisbury, SP1 1QY · Wiltshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
26th of 27 secondary schools in Wiltshire we can score, 28 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 879 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.8/10 among them, against 1.7/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 5 | 35% | 0.19 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 32.5 · 19 | 30% | 0.58 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.64 · 10 | 25% | 0.25 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 41.0 · 24 | 10% | 0.24 |
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 School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 39.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 40.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.64 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.6 out of 10 among them, against 2.5 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted rated the school Requires improvement in April 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join clubs such as Wellbeing Art, Culture Club, and Anti-Bullying Ambassadors. Sports include Athletics, Basketball, and Fencing, while arts options cover Open Studio, Drama Club, and Vocal Ensemble. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 565 pupils against a stated capacity of 625. 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
With a Progress 8 score of -0.64, how does the school support students to close the gap with national peers? Since the last inspection was in 2024, what specific actions have been taken to address the 'Requires improvement' rating?
What Ofsted said about St Joseph's Catholic School
Overview
The inspection found that while pupils feel “welcome and included” in a “harmonious, inclusive atmosphere,” the quality of education “requires improvement.” Leaders are driving “rapid improvement” following a period of turbulence, with governors providing strong support to ensure the school addresses weaknesses in teaching and curriculum delivery.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate “high levels of respect” and behave well, with “kindness, tolerance and respect” permeating school life.
- Strong pastoral care ensures pupils have “trusted adults” to speak to, and bullying incidents are rare and addressed swiftly.
- Personal development is robust, with pupils developing a “moral compass” through opportunities to discuss important issues and take on leadership roles.
- The curriculum is clear about learning objectives, and there has been an increase in pupils following a “strongly academic curriculum” in key stage 4.
- Safeguarding arrangements are “effective,” and pupils are well prepared for local risks.
Areas to improve
- Teaching must check what pupils know more effectively to identify and address “gaps in knowledge” and misconceptions, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.
- Some teaching activities do not focus closely enough on intended learning, meaning pupils do not always acquire the necessary knowledge and skills for future learning.
- Support for vocabulary development through reading is at an “early stage” and is not yet done “consistently well enough” to benefit all pupils.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 39.9 |
| 2024/25 | 40.4 |
| 2025/26 | 41.0 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 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
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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