St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, part of Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust. It has a Roman Catholic religious character. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in April 2024. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 15th-highest of the 94 schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne with published results, and 1,876th of 14,452 across England. It was 98% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Above England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2024)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Newcastle upon Tyne (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton in detail
Results
In 2025, 88% of Year 6 pupils at St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton reached the expected standard in reading and 90% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 77% in Newcastle upon Tyne and 77% and 75% across England.
Results were similar in 2024 (89% in reading, 87% in maths).
Getting a place at St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton
For September 2026 entry, 49 families put St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton as their first choice and 97 named it as one of their preferences, for 49 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton are West Denton Primary School (under 0.1 miles, 55% reading, 60% maths); Milecastle Primary School (0.5 miles, 90% reading, 87% maths); Knop Law Primary School (0.5 miles, 89% reading, 83% maths); and Westerhope Primary School (0.6 miles, 86% reading, 92% maths).
St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton's 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.
West Denton Primary SchoolMilecastle Primary SchoolKnop Law Primary SchoolWesterhope Primary School
The trust
St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton is one of 39 schools run by Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, an academy trust.
Across the trust's primary schools, 65% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.
Who goes there
5.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (74%), Asian (11%) and Black (7%).
In 2026, 70 pupils (16.4%) received SEN support and 13 (3.1%) 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.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Blaydon Rail Station, about 1.8 miles away in a straight line.
9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hillhead Road-Ashdale Crescent (n-bound), 50 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton are Studio West (0.5 miles), Callerton Academy (1.2 miles) and Walbottle Academy (1.3 miles).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE multi-academy trust performance data; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 3 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
St John Vianney Primary School prepares pupils to be confident, lifelong learners. It effectively supports pupils' social and emotional well-being, which ensures pupils are ready to learn.
The school teaches pupils its behaviour expectations through the 'ready, respectful, safe' mantra. Adults use the same script when they speak to pupils who have not made the right choice. The school 'positively praises and private sanctions' pupils. This ensures that there is a consistent and fair approach to behaviour management.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
The school's curriculum has undergone necessary changes since 2021. The school ensures each subject is well planned and sequenced. The school has considered the essential knowledge and skills that pupils need to know from Nursery to Year 6. The school uses knowledge organisers to support pupils to understand the important aspects of a unit of work. These organisers include the appropriate vocabulary that the school has identified it wants pupils to use. However, in some subjects, pupils do not consistently use the subject-specific vocabulary to explain what they have previously learned.
The school prioritises the teaching of early reading from Nursery. It has carefully selected texts and uses these as 'a book as a hook' to enhance the curriculum. There is a consistent structure to the school's phonics lesson. Pupils use their phonics knowledge to sound out new words. As a result, most pupils can read at an age-appropriate level. The school regularly checks which pupils need extra catch-up sessions if they are not keeping up with the phonics programme. These are additional sessions that focus on the sounds that pupils do not know.
From Ofsted's April 2024 inspection report: the opening paragraphs of each section, quoted word for word. Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its April 2024 inspection.
Rated Good for
Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Personal development, Leadership & management, Early years.
At a Glance
23.2%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has remained stable at around 88% (2024 to 2025). Maths has remained stable at around 90% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 91% to 80% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
28.4
Avg class size
26.8
Infant (KS1)
29.0
KS2
15
Total classes
1 class with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Latest from St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton
HT update 29th September 2026
29 Sep 2026
HT update 18th September 26
18 Sep 2026
HT update 11th September 26
11 Sep 2026
Head teacher update 2nd September 26
2 Sep 2026
Head teacher Update September 1st 2026
1 Sep 2026
September 2026
From St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton.
- Cuba Kids West DentonAt the school · Not yet graded
- Westerhope Wraparound Care950m away · Not yet graded
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton is in Newcastle upon Tyne; for families living there:
Apply to Newcastle upon Tyne for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 15
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 2
- Children hurt
- 2
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 15 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 2 serious and 13 slight.
2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot.
4 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Newcastle upon Tyne is 23.5 (the median across 112 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton
Will you get a place at St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton:
- The straight-line distance from your home to St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Newcastle upon Tyne, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton for 2023 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Newcastle upon Tyne got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
98%
Near capacity
410 pupils
420 places
10 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Across Newcastle upon Tyne council
Places available
3,365
Applications
2,886
Got 1st preference
92.7%
Got preferred school
98.6%
All primary applications across Newcastle upon Tyne council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
70
SEN Support
13
EHC Plans
19.5%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
426
Total Pupils
215
Boys
211
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
18
Teachers
23.7:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£49,993
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£4,997
Per pupil
£2292k
Total funding
£129k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
5.0%
Overall absence
11.7%
Persistent absence
358
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton
Questions parents ask about St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton
What are SATs results like at St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton?
Of the pupils at St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 88% reached the expected standard in reading and 90% did so in maths.
What is St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton's Ofsted rating?
St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in April 2024.
What is the catchment area for St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton?
No fixed boundary. When St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton is oversubscribed, Newcastle upon Tyne allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton?
St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton was close to full in 2025, at 98% of its capacity.
How big are the classes at St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton?
Classes at St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton average 28.4 pupils (2025/26). 1 class has more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton?
St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton has around 426 pupils on roll. 23% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton?
5% of sessions were missed at St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton in 2024/25. 11.7% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton?
Apply through Newcastle upon Tyne's coordinated admissions process, naming St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
Does St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club at the school: Cuba Kids West Denton (registered, not yet graded). There is another within a kilometre. The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
How many road collisions happen near St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 15 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 2 serious and 13 slight. 2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot. 4 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Newcastle upon Tyne is 23.5 (the median across 112 schools, same distance and years).
Where is St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton?
St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, West Denton is at Hillhead Road, West Denton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE5 1DN.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)