St Joseph's Catholic Middle School, Hexham

  • Middle
  • Academy
  • Ages 9 to 13
Ofsted: Good

Highford Lane, Hexham, NE46 2DDOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

St Joseph's Catholic Middle School, Hexham is a middle school in Hexham for ages 9 to 13. It is one of the 171 schools in Northumberland. It ranks 46th of 68 primary schools in Northumberland. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2015.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 4 February 2015, report published 2 March 2015

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 October 2023

There is an enthusiasm for learning and a sense of enjoyment at St Joseph's. Warm relationships and a supportive environment are evident throughout the school. Pupils feel well looked after and safe here. They know that if they face any problems or challenges, there is someone they can turn to for help. Pupils demonstrate very positive values. They show respect and tolerance. As a result of the school culture, pupils behave very well and they are kind to one another. All pupils learn a broad and ambitious curriculum. Pupils benefit from having specialist teachers for subjects such as design and technology and modern foreign languages. This specialist teaching, particularly in key stage 2, is enthusing pupils and developing their subject knowledge. The school promotes pupils' wider development very effectively. The school encourages pupils to pursue their talents and interests through art, music, drama and sport. This extra-curricular offer extends to areas such as technology. Pupils have formed the 'rusty cogs' club. The club compete, and succeed, in national robotics competitions. Older pupils enjoy leadership opportunities, such as sport and house leaders. They also support their younger peers with their mathematics and reading.

What the school should improve

  • Pupils do not have enough understanding of the world of work, or the options that are available to them beyond school. This means that they are not well prepared for the decisions that they will make in Year 9, when they will choose subjects for further study. The school should establish a careers programme that provides pupils with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their future.
  • Pupils do not have a secure knowledge of some topics in the personal development curriculum. They have not secured their understanding by revisiting knowledge. As a result, they do not know enough about some aspects of diversity and other faiths and cultures. The school should ensure that topics in the PSHE curriculum are revisited in increasing depth as pupils move up through the school.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

39 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths59%

59%, 3 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths3%

3%, 5 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score103

103, 3 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score103

103, 2 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score103

103, 2 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

168 pupils on roll, with places for 360

Eligible for free school meals19%

19%, 7.5 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language1.8%

1.8%, 19.8 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support17.3%

17.3%, 2.5 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.6%

3.6%, 2.4 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near St Joseph's Catholic Middle School, Hexham

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St Mary's Catholic First School, Hexham0.5 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
The Sele First School0.5 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Hexham Middle School0.7 milesOfsted: Good69% met the expected standard
Hexham First School1 mileOfsted: GoodNot published
Acomb First School2 milesOfsted: GoodNot published

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
BISHOP WILKINSON CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
Age range
9 to 13
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Roman Catholic
Sixth form
No
Headteacher
Mr Nicholas Wood
Address
Highford Lane, Hexham, NE46 2DD
Local authority
Northumberland
URN
148260

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.