St Columba's Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy
Tong Street, Dudley Hill, Bradford, BD4 9PYOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St Columba's Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy is a primary school in Bradford for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 227 schools in Bradford. It ranks 60th of 106 primary schools in Bradford. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 23 January 2024, report published 6 March 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 23 January 2024
Everyone receives a warm welcome at St Columba's Catholic Primary School. Pupils show respect to each other and to adults. Pupils know that it does not matter what your beliefs, background or skin colour are, everyone must be respected. The school creates an environment where pupils feel safe. The school roots its behaviour system in its Catholic ethos. Parents, carers, staff and pupils chose the five virtues that exemplify the school's behaviour expectations. Pupils know and apply these virtues in their daily behaviour. For example, pupils know that to 'be wise' means to pay attention and listen. The school has developed its curriculum since academisation. Leaders make continual refinements to improve pupils' attainment. The school's extra-curricular clubs are purposefully selected to develop pupils' skills, such as by playing board games. Pupils and families access high-quality pastoral support through the school's nurture and home school support service. Pupils receive effective emotional and practical support. The early years provision enables children from two years old to access activities that stimulate play and exploration. Adults sensitively support children to make choices and play cooperatively. The provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), 'the nest', provides bespoke learning support for young pupils with communication and interaction needs.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects in the curriculum, the school has not planned out the small steps of content that pupils need to learn. This means that in these subjects, teachers do not know which content to deliver next. Leaders should ensure that sequences of learning in each subject are clear.
- The school has not matched the vocabulary on the curriculum knowledge mats to the subject-specific vocabulary identified by the school for each year group. This means the vocabulary that pupils use does not match the vocabulary the school wants them to learn precisely. The school should ensure that the knowledge mats reflect the essential vocabulary for each unit of learning.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
48 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
420 pupils on roll, with places for 389
Schools near St Columba's Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knowleswood Primary School | 0.3 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | 20% met the expected standard |
| St John's CofE Primary School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 76% met the expected standard |
| Ryecroft Primary Academy | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 50% met the expected standard |
| Newhall Park Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 77% met the expected standard |
| Lower Fields Primary Academy | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 76% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- BLESSED CHRISTOPHER WHARTON CATHOLIC ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Judith Kelby
- Phone
- 01274681961
- Address
- Tong Street, Dudley Hill, Bradford, BD4 9PY
- Local authority
- Bradford
- URN
- 148258
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.