St Gerard's RC Primary School

About St Gerard's RC Primary School

St Gerard's RC Primary School in Middlesbrough is a smaller-than-average Roman Catholic primary, with 171 pupils against a capacity of 210. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 35.2%, which is notably higher than the national average and reflects the local context of the area. Demand for places is clear: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 23 applications for just 16 places, with 15 of those being first-preference offers. That gives an oversubscription ratio of 1.44, meaning nearly one and a half families compete for every spot. The school serves children from age 3 through to 11, with nursery provision on site, and is led by headteacher Joanne Coe. Its Catholic character is woven into daily life, with a chapel on the premises, but the school is open to families of all faiths and none who value its ethos.

Academically, St Gerard's most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024 confirmed it remains a Good school, an improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2014. The graded inspection in 2018 had already awarded Good across leadership, early years provision, and overall effectiveness. At Key Stage 2 in 2023/24, 33% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. That is well below the local authority average of 62% and places the school 35th out of 37 primaries in Middlesbrough. However, individual subject results tell a more mixed story: 71% met expectations in writing, 62% in reading and 62% in maths. Average scaled scores in reading and maths both hit 100, the national benchmark. Higher standard attainment is low — 10% in reading and maths, and just 5% in writing — so this is a school where most children are working at or just below age-related expectations.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a gymnasium, sensory room, forest school, art studios, music rooms and a chapel. Sports provision covers netball, gymnastics, cross country and football, while clubs include drama, gardening and eco club. SEND support is well-documented, with provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs. This makes it a practical choice for families whose children need additional support in a smaller, faith-based setting. The school is oversubscribed, so early application is essential. It suits families who prioritise a nurturing, community-focused Catholic environment over top-tier academic rankings, and who value the wraparound of nursery provision and a forest school programme.

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