SchoolScoresSt Joseph's Catholic Middle School, Hexham
Academy · Secondary, ages 9 to 13 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of BISHOP WILKINSON CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
Highford Lane, Hexham, NE46 2DD
01434 605124 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 4 February 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 |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 25 October 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
29 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Hexham comparisons use the 4 of its 5 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other one has 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 | Hexham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hexham. Higher than 96% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 81% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hexham. Higher than 80% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 89% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hexham. Higher than 82% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 77% | 84% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 20 parents who had raised a concern 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hexham. Higher than 77% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80% | 68% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hexham. Higher than 88% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93%said yes | 80% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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. Hexham figures pool parents at the Hexham 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
39 pupils in this year group.
59% — about the same as the Northumberland average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Northumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 59% | 58% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 3% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 67% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 72% | 71% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 74% | 70% | 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. | 103 | 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 Northumberland. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
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 | Northumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham. Higher than 48% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 26.3% | 24.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham. Higher than 46% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.8% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham. Higher than 30% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.2% | 13.1%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham. Higher than 7% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.2% | 2.8%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham. Lower than 94% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 4.9% | 8.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham. Lower than 96% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.6% | 22.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham. Lower than 87% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.9 | 29.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham. Lower than 89% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 2.2% | 8.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.38% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham. Higher than 26% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.6 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Hexham. Higher than 49% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.8 | 11.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Hexham. Higher than 61% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 15.3% | 11.8%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary 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 secondary schools
- Queen Elizabeth High School 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hexham Middle School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016, before conversion), confirmed 2024
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Joseph's Catholic Middle School, Hexham's Ofsted rating?
St Joseph's Catholic Middle School, Hexham was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 4 February 2015. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 25 October 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Would parents recommend St Joseph's Catholic Middle School, Hexham?
93% of the 29 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend St Joseph's Catholic Middle School, Hexham 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 148260.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.