St Joseph's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School, Highfield
Rowlands Gill, NE39 2JE · Gateshead · primary school
Check the area around this school
18th of 62 primary schools in Gateshead we can score, 66 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 8.6/10 against 2,328 of them, against 7.3/10 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 | 7.0 · 51 | 25% | 1.27 |
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 Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School, Highfield 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%. The higher standard was reached by 7.0%, matching the national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in October 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 81 pupils against a stated capacity of 105. 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 are planned for the current academic year? How does the school maintain its Good rating in terms of teaching quality?
What Ofsted said about St Joseph's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School, Highfield
Overview
This ungraded inspection confirms that St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School, Highfield “continues to be a good school.” Pupils are described as “confident, kind and welcoming,” thriving in an environment where leaders maintain “high expectations of learning” for all, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Strengths
- The curriculum is “ambitious and fit for purpose,” with staff receiving regular training to support pupils effectively.
- Reading instruction is strong; pupils make a “positive start to phonics” using a scheme taught with “consistency” and books matched closely to known sounds.
- Mathematics is “carefully planned out” with clear “small steps” for success, ensuring pupils can “explain mathematical concepts accurately.”
- Relationships are “caring and thoughtful,” creating an inclusive atmosphere where pupils feel “happy and safe.”
- SEND pupils are identified promptly and receive “dedicated support” with carefully planned training and professional input.
Areas to improve
- In subjects like geography, new curriculum plans do not clearly consider progression in “mixed-year classes,” meaning pupils are not sufficiently challenged to “know more and remember more.”
- Assessment strategies to check retained knowledge are “not fully embedded into the teaching sequences,” leaving leaders without a clear understanding of pupil progress in some subjects.
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 | 24% |
| 2023/24 | 45% |
| 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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