St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Christchurch
Dorset Road, Somerford, Christchurch, BH23 3DAOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Christchurch is a primary school in Christchurch for ages 5 to 11. It is one of the 111 schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. It ranks 3rd of 10 primary schools in Christchurch. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2015.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 10 February 2015, report published 10 March 2015
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Outstanding
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 19 June 2024
Community is at the heart of this nurturing and caring school. Pupils live out the school's vision to 'let your light shine' through their day-to-day interactions with one another and with adults. Pupils are polite, kind and caring. They have impeccable manners and treat adults with the utmost respect. Relationships between adults and pupils are positive. Pupils feel happy, safe and valued. The school has high expectations and aspirations for all pupils. Pupils meet these expectations well. There is a purposeful and calm learning atmosphere, which begins in Reception Year. Children understand and consistently follow the routines that are in place. Older pupils model these well. They demonstrate 'fantastic walking' as they move around the school. During playtimes and lunchtimes, pupils of all ages play together harmoniously. This makes it an enjoyable experience for all. The school provides a broad range of opportunities for pupils' wider development. Pupils enjoy representing the school in many local competitions, including tag rugby, handball and golf. They talk enthusiastically about the 'phizzlab' that science ambassadors organise as well as the recent residential trips for Years 5 and 6. All of this helps to build pupils' character and confidence.
What the school should improve
- Assessment in some wider curriculum subjects is not precise enough to check that pupils have remembered the knowledge they have been taught. As a result, some pupils have gaps in their learning and do not build their knowledge well over time. The school needs to ensure that assessment is used to check on pupils' understanding effectively and use this information to inform future learning.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
27 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
199 pupils on roll, with places for 218
Schools near St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Christchurch
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerford Primary School | 0.5 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | 41% met the expected standard |
| Mudeford Junior School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good | 82% met the expected standard |
| Mudeford Community Infants' School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Burton Church of England Primary School | 1 mile | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | 53% met the expected standard |
| The Priory Church of England Primary School | 2 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | 62% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary aided school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 5 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mr Peter Doherty
- Phone
- 01202485976
- Address
- Dorset Road, Somerford, Christchurch, BH23 3DA
- Local authority
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- URN
- 113848
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.