St John the Evangelist Catholic Primary School, Billingham

Ofsted's report card from its 8 January 2026 inspection grades St John the Evangelist Catholic Primary School on 7 areas: 6 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders prioritise pupils' regular attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed an ambitious, broad curriculum that reflects the school's context and pupils' needs."

Early years - Expected standard. "The school has high expectations for all children."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have created an inclusive culture where pupils' needs are identified early and accurately."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "The newly formed leadership team demonstrates a well-considered approach and shared vision for the leadership of the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "There is a clear and consistent focus on developing pupils' spiritual and moral understanding across the school."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Some pupils have gaps in their essential knowledge, especially in mathematics, which limits their achievement in more complex tasks."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should continue to develop and strengthen pupils' core foundational knowledge in mathematics, ensuring that learning builds progressively and securely over time. • Leaders should ensure that staff consistently maximise interactions with children in the early years to deepen their learning and readiness for key stage 1".

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is my greatest privilege to be headteacher of this unique school- the oldest Catholic Primary School in Billingham! At St John's, we pride ourselves on being a warm, welcoming, inclusive community with the teachings of Christ at the heart, and our children's wellbeing and success, at the centre of everything we do."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care until 4:00pm.

In 2025, 86% of Year 6 pupils at St John the Evangelist Catholic Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 68% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 79% and 78% in Stockton-on-Tees and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 56% in reading and 67% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 12 families put St John the Evangelist Catholic Primary School as their first choice and 22 named it as one of their preferences, for 12 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to St John the Evangelist Catholic Primary School are Billingham South Community Primary School (0.2 miles, Outstanding, 63% reading, 67% maths); Pentland Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 52% reading, 48% maths); Roseberry Primary School (0.7 miles); and Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Academy (1.1 miles, Outstanding, 82% reading, 82% maths).

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

St John the Evangelist Catholic Primary School is one of 35 schools run by Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 67% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

22 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about St John the Evangelist Catholic Primary School (as of April 2026): 64% would recommend the school, 68% say their child is happy there and 67% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they are kept well informed about progress (73%); the weakest, that pupils behave well (64%).

6.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 28 pupils (22.6%) received SEN support and 4 (3.2%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Billingham Rail Station, about 770 metres away (roughly a 10-minute walk).

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St John the Evangelist RC Primary School (b), 70 metres away.

In 2024/25, St John the Evangelist Catholic Primary School issued 32 suspensions, 21.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to St John the Evangelist Catholic Primary School are St Michael's Catholic Academy (1.1 miles) and Northfield School and Sports College (1.6 miles).