SchoolScoresSt Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Thame
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of THE POPE FRANCIS CATHOLIC MULTI ACADEMY COMPANY
Brook Lane, Thame, OX9 2AB
01844 214278 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 21 January 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
81 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Thame comparisons use the 3 of its 4 state primary 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 | Thame | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 1st highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Thame. Higher than 23% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 89% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 2nd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Thame. Higher than 13% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 87% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 2nd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Thame. Higher than 16% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 78% | 77% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 23 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 83rd highest of 103 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Oxfordshire. Higher than 22% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 43% | – | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 67 parents who had raised a concern 3rd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Thame. Higher than 3% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 51% | 66% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 23 parents of children with SEND Joint 39th highest of 43 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Oxfordshire. Higher than 5% of 2,087 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 39% | – | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Thame. Higher than 5% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 64%said yes | 75% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 44%). 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. Thame figures pool parents at the Thame 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
30 pupils in this year group.
63% — about the same as the Oxfordshire average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Oxfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 63% | 62% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 13% | 9% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 77% | 76% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 73% | 72% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 70% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 106 | 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 Oxfordshire. 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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 24 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 18 |
| Of those, offered a place | 18 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 57 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.8
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 | Oxfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 4 state primary schools in Thame. Higher than 28% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 13.5% | 17.0%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 4 state primary schools in Thame. Higher than 73% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.3% | 3.8%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 4 state primary schools in Thame. Higher than 56% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.1% | 16.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 4 state primary schools in Thame. Higher than 47% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 8.6% | 18.6%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 4 state primary schools in Thame. Lower than 49% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.0% | 5.1%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 4 state primary schools in Thame. Lower than 66% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 9.2% | 11.8%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 4 state primary schools in Thame. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 3.3 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 4 state primary schools in Thame. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 4 state primary schools in Thame. Higher than 30% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 18.8 | 20.4 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 4 state primary schools in Thame. Higher than 60% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.3 | 10.0 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 4 state primary schools in Thame. Higher than 88% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 28.3% | 16.3%* | 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
- Barley Hill Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2025 · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- John Hampden Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- Long Crendon School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 78% met expected standard (KS2)
- Haddenham St Mary's CofE School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 1 strong, 6 expected
- Tetsworth Primary School 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 70% 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, Thame's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 21 January 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Thame do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 63% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, about the same as the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Thame?
64% of the 81 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, Thame to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Thame oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 18 families put St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Thame as their first choice for 24 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 18 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 139529.
- 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.