St Joseph's Catholic Infant School
119%
Capacity
215
Pupils
1.8x
Demand
About St Joseph's Catholic Infant School
St Joseph's Catholic Infant School was rated Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection, a significant improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating. The inspection, which took place in 2025, confirmed that standards are being maintained, with leadership and management, early years provision, and overall effectiveness all judged as Good. As an infant school catering for children aged 2 to 7, the school does not publish Key Stage 2 SATs results, which are the standard metric for primary school performance in England. However, the local authority average for pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at Key Stage 2 is 64 per cent, providing a useful benchmark for the area. The school's most telling academic metric comes from its parent view survey, where 100 per cent of the 11 respondents said they would recommend the school, and 82 per cent strongly agreed that their child does well there.
The school's Ofsted report highlights strong early years provision, rated Good, which is particularly relevant given the school's nursery provision for children from age 2. The inspection noted that behaviour and attitudes are positive, a view echoed by parents: 64 per cent strongly agreed that the school ensures pupils are well behaved, and 91 per cent strongly agreed that their child feels safe. While the school does not have a sixth form, its focus on the early primary years allows for a targeted approach to foundational learning. The school's capacity is 180 pupils, but it currently has 215 on roll, indicating it is oversubscribed. For the 2025/26 admissions cycle, there were 106 applications for 58 places, with 42 first-preference offers made, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.83.
The school offers a range of facilities including a Forest School, library, art studios, playing fields and a chapel, reflecting its Roman Catholic character. Sports include football, cricket, netball and dance, while clubs extend to drama, choir, science club, film club, chess and coding. The school provides support for pupils with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, speech, language and communication needs, social, emotional and mental health needs, and physical disabilities. With 14 per cent of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a diverse intake. This is a school that suits families looking for a faith-based infant education with strong parental satisfaction and a clear focus on early years development, though competition for places is high given its oversubscribed status.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 2 to 7 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Hazell Avenue, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 7JF |
| Headteacher | Joanna Heritage |
| Local Authority | Buckinghamshire |
| Number of Pupils | 215 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 14.0% |
| School Capacity | 215 / 180 (119% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
8 May 2025Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (8 May 2025): Standards maintained
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 20 May 2016. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Ofsted Parent View
11 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed58
106
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
42 families put this school as their 1st choice (40% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
School day
Teaching hours
08:45 – 15:15
Source: stjosephsrcinfant.bucks.sch.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
Class profile
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Below the national average (25%).
Among the highest 25% — a diverse linguistic intake.
Ethnic background
- Asian30.3%
- White British22.8%
- White (other)13.0%
- Mixed10.7%
- Black1.4%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than half of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Better than half of schools in England.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
2.50 kmstraight line
Green ring on the map shows the effective catchment for 2024/25. Check your address below.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
13
Total schools
9
Oversubscribed
10
Primary
Cutoff distances vary year to year and apply only to applicants who reach the distance criterion. Faith, sibling, and SEND priorities take precedence.
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Frequently Asked Questions About St Joseph's Catholic Infant School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Hazell Avenue, Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire, HP21 7JF
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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