St Joseph's Catholic Primary School (Hertford)
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Nursery class
Part of ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC ACADEMY TRUST
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, North Road, North Road, Hertford, SG14 2BU
01992 583148 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 2 July 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 27 November 2024: 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
66 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Hertford comparisons use the 12 of its 14 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 2 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 | Hertford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 4th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertford. Higher than 62% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 91% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 6th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertford. Higher than 59% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 91% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 7th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertford. Higher than 31% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 83% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 21 parents whose child had been bullied 4th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertford. Higher than 55% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 57% | 38% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 48 parents who had raised a concern 6th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertford. Higher than 48% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 70% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 16 parents of children with SEND 3rd highest of 4 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertford. Higher than 12% of 2,087 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 60% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 6th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertford. Higher than 41% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89%said yes | 82% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 32%). 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. Hertford figures pool parents at the Hertford 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
28 pupils in this year group.
46% — 18 points below the Hertfordshire average, and 16 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 46% | 64% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 14% | 11% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 68% | 79% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 68% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 71% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 107 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 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 Hertfordshire. 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 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 29 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 37 |
| Of those, offered a place | 26 (70%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 71 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.3
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 | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 11th highest of 14 state primary schools in Hertford. Higher than 11% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 7.8% | 17.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 14 state primary schools in Hertford. Higher than 78% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.8% | 3.2%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 11th highest of 14 state primary schools in Hertford. Higher than 18% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 9.6% | 14.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 10th highest of 14 state primary schools in Hertford. Higher than 27% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.8% | 21.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 11th lowest of 14 state primary schools in Hertford. Lower than 23% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.1% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 11th lowest of 14 state primary schools in Hertford. Lower than 22% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 17.3% | 11.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 14 state primary schools in Hertford. Lower than 52% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.0 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 14 state primary schools in Hertford. Lower than 57% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.5% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 14 state primary schools in Hertford. Higher than 90% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 24.7 | 20.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 14 state primary schools in Hertford. Higher than 95% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 14.8 | 10.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 8th highest of 12 state primary schools in Hertford. Higher than 59% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 15.3% | 15.7%* | 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
- Hollybush Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 32% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hertford St Andrew CofE Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), some aspects weaker 2024
- Mill Mead Primary Academy 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 84% met expected standard (KS2)
- Duncombe School 0.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Bengeo Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hertford Prep 0.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Abel Smith School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 55% met expected standard (KS2)
- Morgans Primary School and Nursery 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hertingfordbury Cowper Primary School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 76% met expected standard (KS2)
- Wheatcroft Primary School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 51% 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 (Hertford)'s Ofsted rating?
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School (Hertford) was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 2 July 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 27 November 2024, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did St Joseph's Catholic Primary School (Hertford) do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 46% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 16 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Joseph's Catholic Primary School (Hertford)?
89% of the 66 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 (Hertford) to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Joseph's Catholic Primary School (Hertford) oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 37 families put St Joseph's Catholic Primary School (Hertford) as their first choice for 29 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 26 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 148493.
- 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.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.