St Joseph's Catholic Voluntary Academy
Matlock, DE4 3FT · Derbyshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
225th of 263 primary schools in Derbyshire we can score, 354 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 — 0.8/10 against 736 of them, against 0.8/10 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 | 37.0 · 6 | 40% | 0.24 |
| 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 Voluntary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 37.0% 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% of pupils, 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 (0.8 out of 10 either way). Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2025.
Getting in
The published school roll is 156 pupils against a stated capacity of 240. 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 core subjects? What specific strategies are used to help students progress to the higher standard? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while addressing these attainment gaps?
What Ofsted said about St Joseph's Catholic Voluntary Academy
Overview
St Joseph’s Catholic Voluntary Academy has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The school is described as having a “strong, caring and welcoming ethos” where pupils feel “safe, respected and supported.” Leaders have implemented an ambitious curriculum and improved behaviour, resulting in pupils who are “polite, respectful” and well prepared for their next stage of education.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from a “broad and engaging curriculum” that is “clear and well designed,” with effective support for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
- Behaviour has improved significantly, with pupils showing “positive attitudes to learning” and bullying being “rare and dealt with effectively.”
- Reading standards are improving through a consistently implemented phonics programme, with most pupils reading books “well matched to their reading ability.”
- The school provides a “rich personal development curriculum” and high participation in extra-curricular opportunities, particularly among disadvantaged pupils.
- Staff feel supported in their workload and well-being, benefiting from professional development tailored to their individual needs.
Areas to improve
- Lesson activities are not always well chosen to meet the range of pupils’ needs, meaning some pupils’ knowledge is not as secure as it should be.
- The early reading programme is not adapted well enough for some pupils, preventing them from becoming as fluent and accurate readers as they could.
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 | 53% |
| 2023/24 | 57% |
| 2024/25 | 37% |
| 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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