SchoolScoresSt Joseph's Catholic Infant School, Birtley
Academy · Primary, ages 5 to 7 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of BISHOP WILKINSON CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
Mitchell Street, Birtley, Chester le Street, DH3 1LU
0191 410 2324 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 6 May 2015. 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 |
| Early years | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 22 October 2024: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
No test or exam results have been published for this school yet.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Gateshead. 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 | 15 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 15 |
| Of those, offered a place | 15 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 41 |
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 | Gateshead | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 10th highest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 61% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 27.3% | 31.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 51% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.0% | 2.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 92% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 24.2% | 16.5%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 75% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 27.3% | 14.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 88% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.7% | 4.7%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 91% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.8% | 10.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 1.3 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 0.6% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 12th highest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 36% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 19.4 | 20.3 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 15th highest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 7% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 7.6 | 11.0 | 10.6 |
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.
Nearby primary schools
- St Joseph's Catholic Junior School, Birtley 0.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 76% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ravensworth Terrace Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Birtley East Community Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- Portobello Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Barley Mow Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- Blackfell Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected, 1 needs attention · 80% met expected standard (KS2)
- Holley Park Academy 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 74% met expected standard (KS2)
- Oxclose Primary Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 52% met expected standard (KS2)
- St John Boste Catholic Primary School, Washington 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ouston Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 54% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Joseph's Catholic Infant School, Birtley's Ofsted rating?
St Joseph's Catholic Infant School, Birtley was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 May 2015. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 22 October 2024, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Is St Joseph's Catholic Infant School, Birtley oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 15 families put St Joseph's Catholic Infant School, Birtley as their first choice for 15 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 15 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 148809.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.