SchoolScoresSacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of BLESSED PETER SNOW CATHOLIC ACADEMY TRUST
St Peter's Avenue, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 1BL
01422 831360 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 8 November 2017.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 16 November 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
30 pupils in this year group.
60% — 2 points below the Calderdale average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Calderdale | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 60% | 62% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 7% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 67% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 77% | 71% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 77% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 104 | 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 Calderdale. 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 | 11 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 11 |
| Of those, offered a place | 11 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 17 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
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 | Calderdale | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 10 state primary schools in Sowerby Bridge. Higher than 79% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 39.3% | 28.5%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 10 state primary schools in Sowerby Bridge. Higher than 72% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.3% | 4.8%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 8th highest of 10 state primary schools in Sowerby Bridge. Higher than 31% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.7% | 14.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 10 state primary schools in Sowerby Bridge. Higher than 7% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.6% | 15.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 9th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Sowerby Bridge. Lower than 30% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.7% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Sowerby Bridge. Lower than 38% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 13.7% | 11.2%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 9th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Sowerby Bridge. Lower than 12% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 6.1 | 2.8 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 10th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Sowerby Bridge. Lower than 9% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 3.1% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 10 state primary schools in Sowerby Bridge. Higher than 74% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.7 | 21.6 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 10 state primary schools in Sowerby Bridge. Higher than 55% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.0 | 10.3 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 5th highest of 7 state primary schools in Sowerby Bridge. Higher than 0% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 15.8%* | 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
- New Road Primary School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 47% met expected standard (KS2)
- Trinity Academy St Peter's 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Triangle CofE VC Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- Christ Church Sowerby Bridge CofE (VA) Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2023 · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Norland CE School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 80% met expected standard (KS2)
- Warley Town School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
- Luddendenfoot Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 80% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bolton Brow Primary Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Warley Road Primary Academy 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Mary's CofE (VC) J and I School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 83% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy's Ofsted rating?
Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 8 November 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 16 November 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 60% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 2 points below the England average of 62%.
Is Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 11 families put Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy as their first choice for 11 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 11 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 141479.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.