Catcliffe Primary School

About Catcliffe Primary School

Catcliffe Primary School is a state primary in Rotherham that currently educates 188 pupils against a capacity of 223, meaning it has some room to grow. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 33.3%, which is notably higher than the national average for primary schools and reflects the school’s role in serving a community with above-average socio-economic challenges. Despite this, the school is clearly in demand: for the 2025/26 intake, it received 49 applications for just 11 places, with all 11 first-preference applicants being offered a spot. That oversubscription ratio of 4.45 to one suggests families in the area are actively choosing Catcliffe over other local options. The school is mixed, non-denominational, and caters for children from age 3 through to 11, with nursery provision on site. Jessica Singh is the headteacher.

Academically, Catcliffe has made strong progress since its last inspection. In January 2023, Ofsted upgraded the school from Requires Improvement to Good overall, with behaviour and attitudes rated Outstanding — the only Outstanding grade in the report. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 64% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is slightly above the Rotherham local authority average of 60%. Average scores in reading (105) and maths (104) both sit just above the national benchmark of 100. The proportion reaching the higher standard in all three subjects was 9%, while 18% hit the higher bar in reading and maths individually. In writing, 82% met the expected standard, a strong result. The school ranks 37th out of 84 primary schools in Rotherham on the expected standard measure, placing it in the top half of the local authority.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a gymnasium, sports hall, library, ICT suite and a chapel, plus sports like football, netball and gymnastics. Clubs include chess, choir, science club and coding. Catcliffe has a dedicated SEND team covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech and language needs, social and emotional mental health support, and autistic spectrum disorder — useful for families whose children need extra help. The school is oversubscribed, so parents should be prepared to apply early and list it as a first preference to maximise their chance of a place. It suits families who want a Good-rated primary with strong behaviour standards, a supportive SEND offer, and a headteacher who has overseen a clear improvement journey. The nearest Outstanding-rated alternative is Whiston Worrygoose Junior and Infant School, about 3.4 km away.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Catcliffe Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents