SchoolScoresSt Joseph's Catholic Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 2 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of PLYMOUTH CAST
Chapel Street, Devonport, Plymouth, PL1 4DJ
01752 563185 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 9 June 2026 , published 13 July 2026.
In short: 1 expected, 6 needs attention, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Early yearsNursery and reception classes. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
30 pupils in this year group.
53% — 12 points below the Plymouth average, and 9 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Plymouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 53% | 65% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 3% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 67% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 77% | 75% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 67% | 75% | 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. | 102 | 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 Plymouth. 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 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 30 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 35 |
| Of those, offered a place | 30 (86%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 47 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.4 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.2
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 | Plymouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 41st highest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 57% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 24.8% | 26.6%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 29th highest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 51% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.0% | 2.6%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 68th highest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 24% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 10.6% | 16.3%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 15th highest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 68% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 20.2% | 12.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 55th lowest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 24% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.0% | 5.2%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 57th lowest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 14% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 19.8% | 12.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 41st lowest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 36% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.0 | 3.2 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 48th lowest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 26% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.5% | 1.4% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 42nd highest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 49% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 20.5 | 21.0 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 40th highest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 48% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.6 | 10.7 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 22nd highest of 71 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 80% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 23.0% | 15.8%* | 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
- Marlborough Primary Academy 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
- Mount Wise Community Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 49% met expected standard (KS2)
- Stoke Damerel Primary Academy 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
- High Street Primary Academy 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- Morice Town Primary Academy 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- College Road Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- St George's CofE Primary Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Stuart Road Primary Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 5 expected · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Cathedral School of St Mary 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 47% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Peter's CofE Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 67% 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's Ofsted rating?
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 9 June 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 1 expected, 6 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
How did St Joseph's Catholic Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 53% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 9 points below the England average of 62%.
Is St Joseph's Catholic Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 35 families put St Joseph's Catholic Primary School as their first choice for 30 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 30 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 140764.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.