St Philip's Catholic Primary School
Smethwick, B66 3DU · Sandwell · primary school
Check the area around this school
66th of 84 primary schools in Sandwell we can score, 93 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 — 2.2/10 against 2,015 of them, against 2.3/10 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 | 50.0 · 19 | 40% | 0.76 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 3.0 · 29 | 25% | 0.73 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Philip's Catholic Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 50.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 3.0% 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 (2.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.3 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2024.
Getting in
The published school roll is 209 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 curriculum support pupils who are below the expected standard in maths? What specific support is available for pupils who did not reach the higher standard in 2024/25?
What Ofsted said about St Philip's Catholic Primary School
Overview
This ungraded inspection confirms the school remains ‘good’, though evidence suggests a graded inspection might yield a lower judgement. Leaders demonstrate ‘integrity’ and actively address challenges, including recent staffing changes that have impacted curriculum delivery. The school prioritises pupil voice and wider development, with many pupils displaying ‘positive attitudes to learning’.
Strengths
- The reading curriculum is ‘systematic’, with well-matched books and trained staff ensuring many pupils read fluently by Year 2.
- Most pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are ‘well supported’ to access the same curriculum as their peers.
- Pupils value ‘learning outside of the classroom’, engaging in activities like birdwatching and community support roles.
- Attendance has improved significantly, with the pastoral team building ‘positive relationships with families’.
- Pupils enjoy expressing their opinions through roles such as school councillors and ‘eco-warriors’.
Areas to improve
- Staff require further training to deliver the mathematics curriculum effectively, as ‘significant changes in staffing’ have led to gaps in subject knowledge and inconsistent identification of misconceptions.
- A minority of pupils are not supported well enough to meet expected learning behaviours, leading to disruption that affects others’ learning.
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 | 45% |
| 2023/24 | 53% |
| 2024/25 | 50% |
| 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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