St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy
92%
Capacity
1,794
Pupils
2.6x
Demand
About St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy
St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Bradford community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,794 pupils on roll and is well-filled (92% of 1,950 places).
Ofsted has rated St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Lawrence Bentley, it falls under Bradford local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.15 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 45.5. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C. Additionally, ranked 1893rd out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 16th out of 34 in Bradford.
St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 750 applications for 285 places, making it 2.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 306 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy include Art Studios, Theatre, Dining Hall, Gymnasium, Library, Astro Turf, Sixth Form Centre, ICT Suite, Science Labs, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Athletics, Hockey, Rugby, Gymnastics and 5 more, as well as clubs including Newspaper, Chess, Coding, Model UN and 7 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 26.0%, which is above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Bradford, St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy is one of the options available in the Yorkshire and the Humber region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Highgate, Bradford, Bradford, BD9 4BQ |
| Headteacher | Lawrence Bentley |
| Local Authority | Bradford |
| Number of Pupils | 1,794 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 26.0% |
| School Capacity | 1,794 / 1,950 (92% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
26 Sept 2019Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 17 Oct 2019. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.15)
1893rd of 3,141
Nationally
170th of 306
In Yorkshire and the Humber
16th of 34
In Bradford
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
37.8
'22/23
36.8
'23/24
31.6
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
20Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed285
750
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
306 families put this school as their 1st choice (41% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Highgate, Bradford
Bradford, BD9 4BQ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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