St Joseph's Catholic Academy
About St Joseph's Catholic Academy
St Joseph’s Catholic Academy is a large secondary school in South Tyneside, currently educating 1,357 pupils against a capacity of 1,490, so there is some headroom but not much. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 19.9%, which is notably higher than the national average of around 23% and reflects the school’s role in serving a community with above-average deprivation. Demand is strong: for entry in 2025/26, the school received 400 applications for 245 places, an oversubscription ratio of 1.63. Of those, 254 were first-preference applications, and 238 first-preference offers were made, meaning the school is comfortably oversubscribed but not wildly so. As a Roman Catholic state school, its intake is shaped by faith-based admissions criteria, though the school is mixed and open to pupils of all abilities. The headteacher, James Crowe, leads a school that has grown significantly in size, and the pupil count suggests it is a popular choice among local families, particularly those seeking a Catholic secondary with a sixth form attached.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
27 Sept 2022Source: Ofsted, 23 Nov 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
12Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:30 – 15:00
Source: stjosephs.uk.net. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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Frequently Asked Questions About St Joseph's Catholic Academy
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Ofsted Ratings Explained
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SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
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Understanding School Catchment Areas
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