St Nicholas of Tolentine Catholic Primary School
Bristol, BS5 0TJ · Bristol, City of · primary school
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88th of 90 primary schools in Bristol, City of we can score, 102 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 — 1.1/10 against 269 of them, against 0.7/10 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 | 33.0 · 4 | 40% | 0.17 |
| Ofsted | 6 | 35% | 0.21 |
| 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 Nicholas of Tolentine Catholic Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 33.0% 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 (1.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.7 out of 10 against all schools). The school was inspected in March 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 125 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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 interventions are in place for the 0.0% who reached the higher standard? How does the new inspection framework affect current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about St Nicholas of Tolentine Catholic Primary School
Overview
The report describes St Nicholas of Tolentine as a "safe haven" where pupils feel secure and demonstrate high levels of respect and positive behaviour. While safeguarding, attendance, and personal development meet the expected standard, the school requires attention in achievement, curriculum, and leadership due to historical weaknesses in teaching and inconsistent pupil progress.
Strengths
- Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are actively identified and managed.
- Pupils exhibit "utmost respect" for one another, creating a "calm and purposeful environment" with rare bullying.
- The early years provision is "happy, safe and exciting," with effective phonics teaching and strong language development.
- Inclusion is "at the heart of the school," with effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
- Personal development is successful, offering a "varied and broad range of experiences" that nurture pupils' talents and understanding of British values.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure teachers use assessment effectively to address learning gaps and build depth of knowledge across the wider curriculum.
- Leaders should ensure pupils achieve better outcomes in reading, writing, and mathematics to be well prepared for the next stage of education.
- Leaders and governors must monitor the curriculum to ensure teaching and achievement improve with "sufficient speed and rigour."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, meaning leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 40% |
| 2024/25 | 33% |
| 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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