St Joseph's Catholic Primary School B/S

About St Joseph's Catholic Primary School B/S

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School B/S sits comfortably above the local authority average for Key Stage 2 outcomes, with 72% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Hertfordshire average of 64%. That eight-point gap puts the school in the top half of primary schools in the local authority, ranked 107th out of 401. Its maths average score of 108 and reading average of 109 both suggest solid foundations, though the proportion hitting the higher standard in all three subjects is 18%, which is a more modest figure. The school is oversubscribed, with 108 applications for 60 places in the 2025/26 intake, and 54 of those were first preferences — a clear sign that local families see it as a strong option. Its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022 rated overall effectiveness as Good, with personal development judged Outstanding, a notable strength that points to a school that takes character and wellbeing seriously alongside academic progress.

The exam results paint a picture of consistent, if not spectacular, performance. In maths, 82% of pupils met the expected standard and 47% reached the higher bar; in reading, the figures were 86% and 40% respectively. Writing was slightly lower, with 79% at expected and 19% at the higher level. Progress scores are not available in the data, so it is hard to say how much value the school adds relative to pupils’ starting points, but the raw attainment is clearly above the LA norm. The school’s national ranking for the combined expected standard places it in the top 26% of all primary schools in England, and within the East of England region it sits in the top 22%. Ofsted’s breakdown shows that behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and the quality of education all received a Good rating, while early years provision was also Good. The previous inspection in 2008 had awarded Outstanding across the board, so the 2022 judgement represents a step down, but the school remains in solid shape.

St Joseph’s is a Roman Catholic primary with a nursery provision, serving children from age 3 to 11. It has a chapel on site, along with a forest school, ICT suite, music rooms, art studios, a library and a gymnasium — a decent range of facilities for a state primary. Sports include netball, tennis, rounders, athletics and swimming, and clubs run the gamut from coding and chess to eco club and drama. The school has a published SEND offer covering dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional needs, speech and language issues, physical disabilities and autistic spectrum disorder, so it is equipped to support a broad range of additional needs. With 7.9% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the intake is less disadvantaged than many. The school is oversubscribed at a ratio of 1.8 applicants per place, so families will need to apply early and, given its Catholic character, priority will almost certainly go to practising Catholic families. For parents in East Hertfordshire who want a faith-based primary with above-average results and a strong personal development focus, this is a serious contender.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About St Joseph's Catholic Primary School B/S

Helpful Guides for Parents