SchoolScoresSt Joseph's Catholic Junior School, Birtley
Academy · Primary, ages 7 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of BISHOP WILKINSON CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
School Street, Birtley, Chester le Street, DH3 2PN
0191 410 2231 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 24 June 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
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 | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
26 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Chester le Street comparisons use the 13 of its 18 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 5 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 | Chester le Street | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 13th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester le Street. Higher than 18% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 96% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 12th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester le Street. Higher than 29% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 97% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 13th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester le Street. Higher than 7% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 92% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 10 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 4th highest of 11 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester le Street. Higher than 85% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70% | 62% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 21 parents who had raised a concern 7th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester le Street. Higher than 42% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 84% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 13th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chester le Street. Higher than 21% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81%said yes | 93% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 27%). 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. Chester le Street figures pool parents at the Chester le Street 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
17 pupils in this year group.
76% — 12 points above the Gateshead average, and 14 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Gateshead | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 76% | 64% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 18% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 94% | 77% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 82% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 94% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 109 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 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 Gateshead. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
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 5th highest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 68% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 30.9% | 31.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 70% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.1% | 2.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 9th highest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 65% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 16.5% | 16.5%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 71% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 22.7% | 14.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 89% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.6% | 4.7%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 6th lowest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 74% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.9% | 10.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 17th lowest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 8% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 8.2 | 1.3 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 16th lowest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Lower than 18% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.1% | 0.6% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 9th highest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 60% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 21.4 | 20.3 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 18 state primary schools in Chester le Street. Higher than 97% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 15.4 | 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 Infant School, Birtley 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015, before conversion), confirmed 2024
- Ravensworth Terrace Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Portobello Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Barley Mow Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- Birtley East Community Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- Holley Park Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 74% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ouston Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 54% met expected standard (KS2)
- Blackfell Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected, 1 needs attention · 80% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Benet's Catholic Primary School, Ouston 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- Oxclose Primary Academy 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 52% 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 Junior School, Birtley's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 24 June 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did St Joseph's Catholic Junior School, Birtley do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 76% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 14 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Joseph's Catholic Junior School, Birtley?
81% of the 26 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Joseph's Catholic Junior School, Birtley to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 148844.
- 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.