St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell 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. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 42nd-highest of the 94 schools in Newcastle-upon-Tyne with published results, and 5,291st of 14,452 across England. It was 96% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Newcastle upon Tyne (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell in detail
Results
In 2025, 81% of Year 6 pupils at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell reached the expected standard in reading and 81% 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 (80% in reading, 83% in maths).
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell
For September 2026 entry, 19 families put St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell as their first choice and 48 named it as one of their preferences, for 20 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell are Atkinson Road Primary Academy (0.1 miles, Good, 74% reading, 78% maths); Bridgewater Primary School (0.3 miles, Outstanding, 86% reading, 74% maths); West Newcastle Academy (0.3 miles, Good, 75% reading, 61% maths); and Canning Street Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 51% reading, 54% maths).
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.
Atkinson Road Primary AcademyBridgewater Primary SchoolWest Newcastle AcademyCanning Street Primary School
The trust
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell 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
50.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 58.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are Black (31%), Asian (21%) and White British (18%).
In 2026, 39 pupils (17.4%) received SEN support and 6 (2.7%) 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 Metrocentre Rail Station, about 1190 metres away (roughly a 15-minute walk).
13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Armstrong Road-Bishops Road (e-bound), 160 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell issued 1 suspension, 0.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell are St Cuthbert's High School (0.7 miles), Sacred Heart Catholic High School (0.9 miles), Excelsior Academy (1 mile) and Kingsmeadow Community School (1.4 miles).
St Cuthbert's High SchoolSacred Heart Catholic High SchoolExcelsior AcademyKingsmeadow Community School
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); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoSt Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell has had no graded Ofsted inspection since it took its current form in November 2021. Before that, as St Joseph's Catholic Primary School (URN 108508), it was rated Good in November 2016.
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
The school is a warm and caring place where staff know pupils and their families well. There is a strong feeling of community at the school. Pupils smile broadly and are proud as they greet visitors to their school. The values of love, trust and respect are well understood by all. The school welcomes those from different faiths and cultures with open arms. Staff ensure that every pupil, no matter their background, is happy, safe and thrives during their early education.
St Joseph's is a haven for those who attend it. Pupils trust staff to help them if they need it. The school has high expectations for all its pupils. Pupils are well behaved and enthusiastic about their learning. Many children begin the early years curriculum unable to speak English. By the time they complete their journey at the school, they are confident, articulate and have often made excellent academic progress.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
The school is ambitious for all pupils to read confidently. Children in the early years learn familiar stories, rhymes and songs to develop their language skills. Older pupils become fluent in their reading through the expert teaching of the phonics curriculum. Those who struggle to read receive effective support. The school's approach to teaching phonics is highly successful. Leaders continually explore how to get more pupils reading a wider range of texts for pleasure.
The school has designed a curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Results in external assessments have been very positive over time. Pupils' mathematical knowledge and skills are a particular strength of the school. The curriculum in all subjects is ambitious, relevant and well understood by staff. However, what pupils will learn and in what order has not been clearly identified in some subjects. This impacts on how effectively the foundation subjects are taught. It also impacts on pupils' knowledge and understanding of the curriculum over time.
From Ofsted's July 2024 ungraded 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.
At a Glance
50.9%
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 81% (2024 to 2025). Maths has remained stable at around 81% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 80% to 74% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
28.0
Avg class size
27.3
Infant (KS1)
29.3
KS2
8
Total classes
2 classes with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell 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
- 19
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 2
- Children hurt
- 3
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 19 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 2 serious and 17 slight.
3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise.
6 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 Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell
Will you get a place at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell:
- The straight-line distance from your home to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell.
- 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 Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell for 2022 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
96%
Near capacity
202 pupils
210 places
8 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
Ungraded inspection: The school remains Good.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
39
SEN Support
6
EHC Plans
20.1%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
224
Total Pupils
108
Boys
116
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
12
Teachers
18.7:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£50,338
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,391
Per pupil
£1480k
Total funding
£148k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
5.3%
Overall absence
13.0%
Persistent absence
184
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 Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell
Questions parents ask about St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell
What are SATs results like at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell?
Of the pupils at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 81% reached the expected standard in reading and 81% did so in maths.
What is St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell's Ofsted rating?
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell has had no graded Ofsted inspection since it took its current form in November 2021. Before that, as St Joseph's Catholic Primary School (URN 108508), it was rated Good in November 2016.
What is the catchment area for St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell?
No fixed boundary. When St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell 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 Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell?
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell was close to full in 2025, at 96% of its capacity.
How big are the classes at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell?
Classes at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell average 28 pupils (2025/26). 2 classes have more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell?
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell has around 224 pupils on roll. 51% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell?
5.3% of sessions were missed at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell in 2024/25. 13% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell?
Apply through Newcastle upon Tyne's coordinated admissions process, naming St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell 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.
How many road collisions happen near St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 19 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 2 serious and 17 slight. 3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise. 6 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 Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell?
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Benwell is at Armstrong Road, Benwell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE15 6JB.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)