St Joseph's Catholic Junior School, Birtley
School Street, Birtley, Chester le Street, DH3 2PNOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St Joseph's Catholic Junior School, Birtley is a primary school in Chester le Street for ages 7 to 11. It is one of the 92 schools in Gateshead. It ranks 1st of 16 primary schools in Chester le Street. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in June 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 24 June 2025, report published 23 July 2025
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Outstanding
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 24 June 2025
Pupils flourish at this welcoming and highly inclusive school. They attend school regularly because they have kind friends to play with and know that learning is important. Pupils enjoy their lessons and take great pride in their learning. The school has very high aspirations for pupils' achievement. Pupils work hard to rise to these aspirations. They achieve exceptionally well and leave the school very well prepared for the challenges of secondary education. Pupils are happy and well cared for. They know there are trusted adults to whom they can go if they are worried or concerned. Relationships between staff and pupils and their families are positive and respectful. During lessons and at social times, pupils' behaviour is exemplary. Across the school, classrooms buzz with engaging and meaningful learning. The school provides activities and visits that carefully link to pupils' learning as well as broadening their experiences beyond the local community. Pupils enjoy trips to museums, the coast and the theatre. Pupils have numerous opportunities to take part in residential visits, building confidence and resilience. A wide range of clubs, such as learning the Korean language, chess, multisport and drama, develop pupils' talents and interests extremely well.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
17 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
105 pupils on roll, with places for 120
Schools near St Joseph's Catholic Junior School, Birtley
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Joseph's Catholic Infant School, Birtley | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Ravensworth Terrace Primary School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 60% met the expected standard |
| Portobello Primary School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 71% met the expected standard |
| Barley Mow Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 57% met the expected standard |
| Birtley East Community Primary School | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Good | 59% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- BISHOP WILKINSON CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
- Age range
- 7 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Kate Swaddle
- Phone
- 01914102231
- Address
- School Street, Birtley, Chester le Street, DH3 2PN
- Local authority
- Gateshead
- URN
- 148844
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.