SchoolScoresSt Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Nursery class
Part of BISHOP WILKINSON CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
Mill Lane, Gilesgate, Durham, DH1 2JQ
0191 386 5611 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 24 September 2013. 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 14 January 2025: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
17 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Durham comparisons use the 25 of its 44 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 19 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 | Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 24th highest of 25 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Durham. Higher than 8% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82% | 94% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 25th highest of 25 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Durham. Higher than 8% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82% | 95% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 16th highest of 25 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Durham. Higher than 37% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 91% | 84% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 13 parents who had raised a concern Joint 15th highest of 23 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Durham. Higher than 32% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 77% | 82% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 19th highest of 25 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Durham. Higher than 23% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82%said yes | 89% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 19%). 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. Durham figures pool parents at the Durham 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
11 pupils in this year group.
100% — 38 points above the County Durham average, and 38 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 100% | 62% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 100% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 100% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 100% | 73% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 110 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 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 County Durham. 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 | 6 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 6 |
| Of those, offered a place | 6 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 14 |
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 | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 21st highest of 44 state primary schools in Durham. Higher than 64% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 28.4% | 35.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 6th highest of 44 state primary schools in Durham. Higher than 85% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 5.6% | 2.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 24th highest of 44 state primary schools in Durham. Higher than 60% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.7% | 18.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 44 state primary schools in Durham. Higher than 77% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 29.2% | 5.0%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 36th lowest of 44 state primary schools in Durham. Lower than 14% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.7% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 41st lowest of 44 state primary schools in Durham. Lower than 8% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 22.7% | 13.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 44 state primary schools in Durham. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 3.8 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 44 state primary schools in Durham. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 42nd highest of 44 state primary schools in Durham. Higher than 4% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 13.1 | 20.0 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 36th highest of 44 state primary schools in Durham. Higher than 14% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 8.4 | 10.1 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 19th highest of 41 state primary schools in Durham. Higher than 56% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 14.3% | 13.1%* | 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
- St Hild's College CofE Primary School, Durham 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019, before conversion), confirmed 2024 · 85% met expected standard (KS2)
- Laurel Avenue Community Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Durham Gilesgate Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- Belmont CofE (Controlled) Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 73% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Thomas More Primary School, Belmont 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Oswald's CofE Aided Primary and Nursery School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 74% met expected standard (KS2)
- Belmont Cheveley Park Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
- Shincliffe CofE (Controlled) Primary School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 5 expected · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Durham Newton Hall Infants' School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024)
- St Margaret's CofE Primary School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 5 expected · 85% 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, Gilesgate's Ofsted rating?
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 24 September 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 14 January 2025, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 100% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 38 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate?
82% of the 17 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 6 families put St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Gilesgate as their first choice for 6 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 6 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 148704.
- 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.