St Luke's Catholic Academy

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 3 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Pyenest Road, Harlow, CM19 4LUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

St Luke's Catholic Academy is a primary school in Harlow for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. It ranks 24th of 30 primary schools in Harlow. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in December 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 13 December 2023, report published 23 January 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 13 December 2023

Pupils describe their school as a 'very happy place'. This is because of the nurture and care they receive from adults who help them. The school works hard to make sure pupils attend frequently and on time. Each morning, pupils receive a warm greeting from staff waiting at classroom doors. It means pupils feel safe, settle quickly and are ready to learn. The school's Christian values are important to pupils. Staff expect pupils to share the values through their work and play. They help guide pupils' behaviour through the school day. Pupils readily recall ideas of respect, honesty and kindness. They know what these things mean. They always look to recognise the values in each other and celebrate this as part of the 'values tree'. Pupils' sense of responsibility is palpable through the school community. They are highly active in building ideas of citizenship and service. Pupils volunteer to be representatives as 'Mini Vinnies', or they participate in the chaplaincy or CAFOD club. They think of different ways to support the local community and respond to global issues. Parents are highly positive about the school. They welcome the support and help their children receive from knowledgeable staff.

What the school should improve

  • In a few subjects, the learning programmes created by leaders are not yet fully established. Leaders have not yet had sufficient opportunity to fully evaluate how these plans are working. As a result, pupils have not yet secured the depth of knowledge to secure their understanding of these subjects. Leaders should ensure that they make effective use of their checks so that all their curriculum programmes best support pupils' achievement.
  • Some teachers do not have enough expertise to deliver leaders' planned curriculum consistently well. They do not have a precise understanding of all the key knowledge pupils need to learn. This leads to misconceptions in pupils' understanding. Leaders should ensure that they continue to provide the training and support to implement all aspects of the curriculum effectively.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

30 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths53%

53%, 9 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 score104

104, 2 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score103

103, 2 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score104

104, 1 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

231 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals15.6%

15.6%, 10.9 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language58%

58%, 36.4 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support19%

19%, 4.2 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.6%

2.6%, 3.4 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near St Luke's Catholic Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Jerounds Primary Academy0.2 milesOfsted: Good76% met the expected standard
Abbotsweld Primary Academy0.4 milesOfsted: Good73% met the expected standard
Kingsmoor Academy0.6 milesOfsted: Good79% met the expected standard
Hare Street Community Primary School and Nursery0.6 milesOfsted: Outstanding85% met the expected standard
Milwards Primary School and Nursery0.7 milesOfsted: Good77% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
OUR LADY OF FATIMA CATHOLIC MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Roman Catholic
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mr Ian Kendal
Address
Pyenest Road, Harlow, CM19 4LU
Local authority
Essex
URN
139577

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.