St Joseph's College

About St Joseph's College

St Joseph’s College is a Roman Catholic secondary school in Stoke-on-Trent that is significantly oversubscribed: its 1,132 pupils fill a stated capacity of just 700, giving it one of the highest pupil-to-place ratios in the area. The school is one of only two state secondaries in the local authority with a religious character, and it is the sole school in Stoke-on-Trent rated Outstanding by Ofsted out of 17 state secondaries. Its intake draws from across the city and beyond, and the school offers boarding provision alongside its day places, which is unusual for a state school in the region. While the data does not include the proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals, the local authority’s overall Progress 8 average of -0.47 suggests a challenging socioeconomic context, making the school’s popularity all the more notable. The headteacher, Charlotte Slattery, leads a mixed 11-18 school that also has a nursery, meaning families can start their child’s education here from the earliest years and continue through to sixth form.

Academically, St Joseph’s delivers strong results relative to the local picture. At GCSE, 67.6% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths, well above the national average, and the Attainment 8 score of 46 is solid. The EBacc average point score of 3.87 is respectable, though only 9.5% of pupils entered the EBacc full suite, which is lower than the national average. At A-level, the school’s sixth form performs at an average level: the best three A-levels grade is a C, with 29.76 points per entry, and the value added score of -0.12 falls within the average banding. This means students make broadly expected progress from their starting points. The school does not publish a Progress 8 score, but its GCSE outcomes are notably stronger than the local authority average, and it ranks as the top-performing school in Stoke-on-Trent among its peers, ahead of Co-op Academy Stoke-On-Trent, Thistley Hough Academy, and Trentham Academy.

The school’s facilities are comprehensive and include a theatre, sports hall, gymnasium, astro turf, music rooms, and a chapel, reflecting its Catholic foundation. Sports provision is wide-ranging, with rugby, football, swimming, and martial arts among the options, and there are clubs for chess, debate, coding, and Young Enterprise. The school has a dedicated sixth form centre and offers nursery provision, making it a viable option for families seeking continuity from early years through to 18. Boarding is available, which may appeal to families who need flexibility or live further afield. Given its Outstanding Ofsted rating, oversubscribed places, and strong GCSE results in a challenging local context, St Joseph’s is likely to suit families who prioritise academic attainment within a faith-based environment and who are prepared to apply early to secure a place.

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