SchoolScoresSt Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Nursery class
Part of BISHOP BEWICK CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
Armstrong Road, Benwell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE15 6JB
0191 273 9063 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 22 November 2016. 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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 4 July 2024: 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
21 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne comparisons use the 56 of its 104 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 48 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 | Newcastle-upon-Tyne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 52nd highest of 56 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 23% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 96% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 32nd highest of 56 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 45% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 96% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 43rd highest of 56 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 31% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 92% | 84% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 13 parents who had raised a concern 8th highest of 53 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 79% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 84% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 19th highest of 56 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 67% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95%said yes | 92% | 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. Newcastle-upon-Tyne figures pool parents at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne 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
31 pupils in this year group.
68% — 2 points above the Newcastle upon Tyne average, and 6 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Newcastle upon Tyne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 68% | 66% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 6% | 11% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 81% | 77% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 74% | 74% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 81% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 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 Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 | 20 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 19 |
| Of those, offered a place | 19 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 48 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 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 | Newcastle upon Tyne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 33rd highest of 104 state primary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 92% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 51.8% | 42.8%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 58th highest of 104 state primary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 45% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.8% | 3.2%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 36th highest of 104 state primary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 71% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 17.8% | 16.5%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 11th highest of 104 state primary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 91% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 52.3% | 29.9%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 58th lowest of 104 state primary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Lower than 42% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.3% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) Joint 53rd lowest of 104 state primary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Lower than 42% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 13.0% | 14.2%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 45th lowest of 104 state primary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Lower than 62% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.5 | 1.7 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 54th lowest of 104 state primary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Lower than 58% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.5% | 0.8% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 61st highest of 104 state primary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 47% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 20.4 | 20.6 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 54th highest of 104 state primary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 55% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.0 | 10.6 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 85th highest of 101 state primary schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Higher than 20% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 4.3% | 13.3%* | 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
- Atkinson Road Primary Academy 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bridgewater Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- West Newcastle Academy 0.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- Canning Street Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 47% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Johns Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed, may be improving 2024 · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- Stocksfield Avenue Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012, before conversion), confirmed 2024 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Wingrove Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sacred Heart Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Bede's Catholic Primary School, Newcastle 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Michael's Catholic Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 strong, 3 expected · 73% 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 Primary School, Benwell's Ofsted rating?
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 22 November 2016. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 4 July 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 68% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 6 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell?
95% of the 21 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 19 families put St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell as their first choice for 20 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 19 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 148812.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- 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.