St Joseph's Catholic Voluntary Academy

About St Joseph's Catholic Voluntary Academy

St Joseph's Catholic Voluntary Academy sits within the Leicestershire local authority, a state primary for mixed pupils aged 4 to 11. In the Harborough district, it ranks 6th out of 32 primary schools, placing it in the top 25% locally. Its closest peers in the authority include Swithland St Leonard's Church of England Primary School, Long Whatton Church of England Primary School and Community Centre, and Brocks Hill Primary School, all of which score higher on the same ranking metric. The school is oversubscribed for the 2025/26 intake, receiving 60 applications for 27 places, with all first-preference families offered a spot. Headteacher Bernadette Dabbs leads a school of 181 pupils, operating below its capacity of 210. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 13.8%. The school's Roman Catholic character is reflected in its facilities, which include a chapel, and it offers a Forest School programme alongside a sensory room and art studios.

Academically, the school performs well above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 76% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the Leicestershire average of 62%. Reading scores were particularly strong, with an average scaled score of 108 and 48% of pupils achieving the higher standard. In writing, 97% met the expected standard and 28% reached the higher standard. Maths saw 86% at expected and 10% at the higher standard, with an average score of 105. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2025 confirmed its Good rating, with leadership and management also judged Good. The previous graded inspection in 2011 had rated the school as Requires Improvement, so the current rating represents a clear improvement. The ungraded inspection in 2025 noted that standards were maintained. Parent feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with 95% of respondents recommending the school.

The school provides a broad range of sports including dance, gymnastics, netball, tennis, athletics, rounders and swimming, plus clubs such as film, art and coding. SEND provisions cover specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language communication needs, hearing impairment, physical disability and other difficulties. The school has a gymnasium, outdoor playground, dining hall and art studios. With 37 parent responses in the most recent Parent View survey, strong majorities agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy, feels safe, and that the school has high expectations. This is a school that suits families prioritising academic attainment within a faith-based setting, particularly those who value strong reading outcomes and a supportive, well-regarded local primary that is in high demand.

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