St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 5 to 11
Ofsted: Good

High Street, Carisbrooke, Newport, PO30 1NROpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School is a primary school in Newport for ages 5 to 11. It is one of the 50 schools in Isle of Wight. It ranks 7th of 9 primary schools in Newport. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2018.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 16 January 2018, report published 23 February 2018

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 July 2023

Pupils thrive in this caring and nurturing environment. The school's mission of 'live, love, believe', is underpinned by the seven school virtues. These are interwoven across all aspects of school life. Pupils are rewarded when they use a virtue, such as courage. Relationships between adults and pupils are strong. Pupils feel safe. They know there is always someone to talk to who will listen and help them with any worry. Pupils know the rules, 'bee kind, bee brilliant, bee respectful'. In class, pupils from the Reception Year to Year 6 are engaged and eager to participate in lessons. Pupils can explain what a bully is. If bullying happens, adults swiftly deal with it. This is confirmed in behaviour records seen. During lunch, pupils are calm and chat away with their friends. They leave the hall quietly and sensibly. Pupils who struggle with their behaviour receive the support they need. Governors and leaders are highly ambitious for all pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders strive to ensure that pupils have many opportunities to widen their horizons. These range from going to the theatre on the mainland to listening to a world champion freestyle footballer.

What the school should improve

  • Changes to the implementation of the phonics programme are not yet fully embedded. As a result, some pupils are not yet learning to read as quickly as they could be. Leaders need to fully embed recent improvements and strengthen further the support for pupils who are not yet fluent readers.
  • Some pupils do not have a secure understanding of British values or other faiths and cultures. Consequently, some pupils are not well enough prepared for life in the wider world. Leaders should ensure that pupils receive a curriculum that prepares them for life in modern Britain.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

30 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths37%

37%, 25 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths7%

7%, 1 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score104

104, 2 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score102

102, 3 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score100

100, 5 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

195 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals15.9%

15.9%, 10.6 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language6.7%

6.7%, 14.9 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support24.6%

24.6%, 9.8 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.1%

4.1%, 1.9 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Carisbrooke Church of England Controlled Primary School0.2 milesOfsted: Good69% met the expected standard
Nine Acres Primary School0.6 milesOfsted: Outstanding67% met the expected standard
Newport Church of England Aided Primary School0.6 milesOfsted: Good59% met the expected standard
Hunnyhill Ormiston Academy1 mileOfsted judgements: GoodNot published
Barton Primary School1 mileOfsted judgements: Good42% 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
Mrs Margaret Sanderson
Address
High Street, Carisbrooke, Newport, PO30 1NR
Local authority
Isle of Wight
URN
118199

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.