SchoolScoresBishop Ellis Catholic Voluntary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 5 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of ST THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Barkby Thorpe Lane, Thurmaston, Leicester, LE4 8GP
0116 269 5510 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 28 June 2012. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 21 May 2025: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
36 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Leicester comparisons use the 89 of its 153 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 64 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Leicester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 18th highest of 89 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Leicester. Higher than 62% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 93% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 1st highest of 89 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Leicester. Higher than 80% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 93% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 8th highest of 89 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Leicester. Higher than 78% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 87% | 84% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 21 parents who had raised a concern Joint 4th highest of 79 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Leicester. Higher than 89% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 78% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 1st highest of 89 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Leicester. Higher than 90% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100%said yes | 87% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 15%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Leicester figures pool parents at the Leicester schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
32 pupils in this year group.
53% — 10 points below the Leicestershire average, and 9 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Leicestershire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 53% | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 3% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 59% | 78% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 81% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 69% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 105 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Leicestershire. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 25 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 23 |
| Of those, offered a place | 23 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 75 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Roman Catholic school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Leicestershire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 93rd highest of 153 state primary schools in Leicester. Higher than 34% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.3% | 16.5%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 152nd highest of 153 state primary schools in Leicester. Higher than 4% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.4% | 2.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 26th highest of 153 state primary schools in Leicester. Higher than 65% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 16.6% | 13.3%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 97th highest of 153 state primary schools in Leicester. Higher than 60% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.9% | 11.0%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 85th lowest of 153 state primary schools in Leicester. Lower than 49% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.0% | 4.6%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 44th lowest of 153 state primary schools in Leicester. Lower than 71% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 8.4% | 9.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 100th lowest of 153 state primary schools in Leicester. Lower than 40% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.7 | 2.1 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 73rd lowest of 153 state primary schools in Leicester. Lower than 62% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.4% | 0.9% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 64th highest of 153 state primary schools in Leicester. Higher than 66% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 21.9 | 21.7 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 35th highest of 153 state primary schools in Leicester. Higher than 79% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 12.6 | 11.2 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 80th highest of 144 state primary schools in Leicester. Higher than 40% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 10.0% | 12.2%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Eastfield Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023) · 51% met expected standard (KS2)
- Church Hill Infant School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024
- Church Hill CofE Junior School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2022 · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Merton Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sandfield Close Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Riverside Community Primary School Birstall 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Pochin School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Peter and St Paul CofE Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- Herrick Primary School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hope Hamilton CofE Primary School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Bishop Ellis Catholic Voluntary Academy's Ofsted rating?
Bishop Ellis Catholic Voluntary Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 28 June 2012. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 21 May 2025, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did Bishop Ellis Catholic Voluntary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 53% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 9 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Bishop Ellis Catholic Voluntary Academy?
100% of the 36 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Bishop Ellis Catholic Voluntary Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Bishop Ellis Catholic Voluntary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 23 families put Bishop Ellis Catholic Voluntary Academy as their first choice for 25 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 23 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 149144.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.