St Francis Catholic Primary School, Walsall

Ofsted's report card from its 7 July 2026 inspection grades St Francis Catholic Primary School on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, achieve well."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Attendance for most pupils is positive."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have established a well-organised curriculum that helps pupils build knowledge and skills progressively over time."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children make a positive start in early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "St Francis is a school where everyone is made to feel welcome."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have maintained a clear focus on pupils' education and wellbeing during a period without the substantive headteacher."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils at St Francis are caring young people."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that, across the wider curriculum, teaching is adapted precisely to meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and to ensure that the most able pupils continue to deepen and extend their learning"; "Leaders should broaden the range of wider opportunities available to pupils throughout the year so that their personal development is strengthened further"; "Leaders should refine outdoor learning in the early years so that children benefit from the same high-quality interactions and learning opportunities that they experience indoors"; "Leaders and governors should strengthen strategic oversight of the school's work by using information with greater precision to identify priorities sharply and evaluate the impact of improvement work".

In its own words: "Our Mission Statement is evident as soon as you step through the doors and see that Christ is at the centre of our school. We all work hard to make sure that everyone is treated with care and respect, and everyone is made to feel special and helped to realise their God-given talents."

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am Miss Richards, the Headteacher and I joined this school in September 2015. At St. Francis every child is welcomed and valued as a unique member of God’s family. They are taught that we are all a sign of God’s love through everything we do on a daily basis."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, athletics and dance.

In 2025, 78% of Year 6 pupils at St Francis Catholic Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 78% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 74% in Walsall and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 84% in reading and 84% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 22 families put St Francis Catholic Primary School as their first choice and 43 named it as one of their preferences, for 26 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to St Francis Catholic Primary School are Greenfield Primary School (0.3 miles, 66% reading, 45% maths); Rushall Primary School (0.5 miles); Radleys Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 58% reading, 58% maths); and St Michael's Church of England C Primary School (1 mile, Good, 83% reading, 78% maths).

St Francis Catholic Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

The nearest railway station is Bloxwich Rail Station, about 2.5 miles away in a straight line.

16 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Francis School (adjacent), 80 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 127 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, vehicle crime and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Walsall (297).

In 2024/25, St Francis Catholic Primary School issued 5 suspensions, 2.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to St Francis Catholic Primary School are Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy (0.4 miles), Shire Oak Academy (1.8 miles) and Aldridge School - A Science College (1.8 miles).