St Matthews Church of England Academy
Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 7NE · Stoke-on-Trent · primary school
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57th of 64 primary schools in Stoke-on-Trent we can score, 71 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 — 3.2/10 against 3,348 of them, against 3.5/10 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 | 56.0 · 30 | 40% | 1.18 |
| Ofsted | 12 | 35% | 0.40 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 6.0 · 45 | 25% | 1.12 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Matthews Church of England Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 56.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 6.0% 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 (3.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.5 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in February 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Film Club, Busy Bees, Games Club, and Bee Active Sports Clubs. The school also provides a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 68 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 below the expected standard in maths? What specific activities take place during the Bee Active Sports Club sessions? How does the new Ofsted report card influence current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about St Matthews Church of England Academy
Overview
St Matthews Church of England Academy is described as a school where pupils are "happy and confident" and "thrive" within a "nurturing culture." The report highlights that staff know pupils "exceptionally well," creating an environment where every child feels "welcome, understood and supported." Leaders have established a "clear and ambitious vision" that is shared by the community, driving consistent improvements in curriculum delivery and pupil wellbeing.
Strengths
- Inclusion is central to the school’s ethos, with staff taking time to "get to know each pupil well" and providing "thoughtful and effective help" for those with special educational needs or disabilities.
- The curriculum is "well planned, ambitious and carefully sequenced," helping pupils build secure knowledge, particularly in reading where an "established phonics programme" ensures fluency.
- Behaviour is excellent, with "calm, purposeful" classrooms and "extremely rare" incidents of bullying, fostering a "harmonious school community."
- Attendance has improved through "proactive" strategies that identify barriers early, ensuring disadvantaged pupils and those with additional needs receive timely support.
- Personal development is a "significant strength," with pupils learning about "right and wrong," mental health, and diversity through a "thoughtful and well-organised" programme.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure high-quality teaching approaches are "consistently embedded" across all year groups, particularly in writing where some mistakes are "not corrected quickly enough."
- Leaders should provide more opportunities for pupils to develop a "secure, detailed understanding" across the personal development curriculum, especially regarding different faiths and cultures.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 92% |
| 2023/24 | 44% |
| 2024/25 | 56% |
| 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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