St Anthony's Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy, Bradford Review 2026: Catholic primary with top-tier KS2 outcomes

A Catholic primary where expectations are high and routines are clear, with a strong emphasis on reading, mathematics, and pupils’ personal development. The July 2024 Ofsted inspection confirmed the school continues to be Good, and safeguarding arrangements are effective.

Academically, the headline is Key Stage 2 attainment. In 2024, 88% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, well above the England average of 62%. A sizeable 35.67% reached the higher standard, compared with the England average of 8%. The school’s scaled scores are also strong, with a combined reading, GPS and maths score of 331.

Demand for Reception places is real rather than theoretical. The most recently available figures show 66 applications for 30 offers, which is 2.2 applications per place, and the entry route is oversubscribed.

The school’s Catholic identity is visible in how it frames daily life, with a clear mission statement and a strong service thread. Pupils are encouraged to contribute to their community through structured activities, including Faith in Action, rather than relying on ad hoc charity days.

Language matters here. Ofsted notes the school’s virtues of tolerance, honesty, courage and gentleness running through the life of the school, which aligns with the way the school talks about behaviour, relationships, and respect. Pupils are described as feeling safe and confident that adults will resolve concerns. That combination, a clear behavioural framework plus a strong relational approach, tends to suit children who like predictable boundaries and calm classrooms.

Leadership and staffing feel stable. The website lists Mrs S Kenyon as Headteacher and Mr J Kendall as Deputy Headteacher, with designated safeguarding roles clearly identified. A stable staff base can be especially helpful for younger pupils and families who value consistency across nursery, Reception, and Key Stage 1 transitions.

Nursery provision, branded as Little Ants Nursery, operates alongside the main school and uses its own admissions approach. The nursery policy stresses indoor and outdoor learning and describes a team that includes experienced practitioners, which is important for families who want early years care to feel like education, not simply childcare.

For a primary school, the most useful benchmark is Key Stage 2 combined attainment. In 2024, 88% met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with the England average of 62%. The higher standard figure, 35.67%, is also striking against the England average of 8%. These are not marginal gains, they indicate a cohort where a large share are both secure and stretching beyond the basics.

The detail beneath those headlines is consistent with a school that prioritises literacy and numeracy early and then sustains momentum through Key Stage 2. In 2024, 93% reached the expected standard in reading, 89% in maths, and 96% in grammar, punctuation and spelling. The reading, maths and GPS scaled scores are 108, 109 and 114 respectively, which supports the story that core knowledge is being taught systematically.

In FindMySchool’s primary rankings based on official data, the school ranks 359th in England for primary outcomes and 2nd in Bradford. That places it well above England average, within the top 10% of schools in England. Parents comparing local options can use the FindMySchool Local Hub page and Comparison Tool to benchmark these figures against nearby schools serving similar communities.

Reading is treated as a core driver of progress rather than a single subject slot. External evidence points to consistent early reading practice, staff training in phonics, and careful matching of books to the sounds pupils know. The practical implication for parents is that children who need structure, repetition, and clear progression in early reading are likely to find the approach supportive.

Mathematics is another central pillar. The inspection record highlights an emphasis on number understanding in the early years, then an ambitious maths curriculum across the school. For many pupils, that translates into confidence with methods and vocabulary, and for higher attainers it often means sustained challenge rather than coasting.

Writing has been an explicit improvement focus, with staff concentrating on the basics to build fluency. The school’s data suggests that this is not at the expense of grammar and spelling, where expected-standard rates are very high. For children who find handwriting and composition effortful, a back-to-basics emphasis can be helpful, as long as it is paired with plenty of practice and feedback.

Where the school still has work to do is in parts of the wider curriculum. External evidence indicates that in some foundation subjects, checking what pupils remember and revisiting key vocabulary is not yet consistent enough. For families who care about history, geography, and other foundation subjects being as tightly taught as English and maths, this is worth probing at an open event.

As a 3 to 11 primary, the main transition point is Year 6 into Year 7. The school positions pupils as well prepared for secondary school, which aligns with the strength of Key Stage 2 outcomes and the emphasis on reading and writing foundations.

For Catholic families, the next step often involves weighing faith-based secondary options alongside local comprehensive schools. Bradford’s coordinated admissions process matters here, because timelines and documentation can drive outcomes as much as school preference. For families planning ahead, it is sensible to treat Year 5 as the start of serious secondary research, so you have enough time to visit schools, understand travel implications, and decide how much weight to place on faith criteria.

Beyond academics, the strongest “leaver story” here is service. Structured programmes such as Faith in Action, alongside pupil leadership responsibilities in the upper years, build habits that can translate well into secondary school, especially for children who thrive when given meaningful responsibility.

Reception entry is through Bradford’s coordinated admissions system, with the school’s own faith documentation running alongside it. The school’s admissions page is unusually explicit: for Reception 2026 to 27, parents must submit the Local Authority application and also complete the school’s Supplementary Information Form, returning it directly to the school with documentation including a birth certificate and baptism certificate where relevant.

Dates are clear for September 2026 entry. The application window opens 17 November 2025 and closes 15 January 2026, with offers released on 16 April 2026. If your child’s place depends on faith prioritisation, the key risk is administrative rather than academic. Missing the Supplementary Information Form can change which oversubscription category your child is placed in.

Competition for places is supported by demand figures. The latest data shows 66 applications for 30 offers for the Reception entry route, which is 2.2 applications per place, and the school is oversubscribed. With last-distance data not available here, families should be cautious about assuming that living “nearby” is sufficient. The FindMySchool Map Search is useful for checking your precise distance and testing realistic alternatives in case you are not offered a place.

Nursery admissions are separate. The nursery policy states that a nursery place does not guarantee a Reception place, and it sets its own waiting list and oversubscription approach. If you are using nursery as a pathway into Reception, treat it as a genuine early years decision rather than an admissions strategy.

Pastoral culture is anchored by clear safeguarding structures and a high expectation that pupils raise concerns early. External evidence describes pupils as feeling safe and confident that staff resolve issues, which is a strong indicator for parents concerned about bullying and day-to-day security.

Attendance and punctuality are taken seriously, and the school communicates this directly to families. The attendance information includes explicit expectations about being on the playground for the 08.45 bell and outlines the consequences of unauthorised absence. This approach tends to work well for families who want firm boundaries and consistent follow-through, but it can feel strict for families managing complex medical or caring circumstances, even when support is available.

In the curriculum, personal development covers online safety and wider risk education. Evidence suggests there is further work to do to ensure older pupils understand risks such as radicalisation and extremism, which is framed as an improvement priority. Parents of Year 5 and Year 6 pupils may want to ask how this has been strengthened since the inspection.

Enrichment is not treated as a generic list of clubs. Evidence points to several named activities that help illustrate the school’s character. Pupils have opportunities such as Creative Minds, a chess club, visiting artists, and Singing Stars. These kinds of programmes matter because they broaden confidence and vocabulary, particularly for pupils who are less motivated by traditional written work.

Service and leadership opportunities are another distinctive thread. Mini Vinnies is a concrete example, with pupils organising events and fundraising, and the school records specific charitable outcomes such as £337 raised for the Snowflake for Axl appeal in December 2022. That blend of pupil initiative and community connection can be a strong fit for children who like purposeful roles and for parents who want values education to be practical.

Faith in Action provides a structured award pathway, with a Pin Level designed for Years 5 and 6 and progression beyond primary into secondary age ranges. Even though the later levels sit beyond this school’s age range, the framing is helpful. It signals that service is intended to be sustained, not a one-off.

The school also links enrichment to community engagement, including singing at a local care home. For families, this is often a good indicator that pupils are encouraged to perform, present, and interact with adults outside the school bubble, which can be especially valuable for confidence and communication.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Families should, however, plan for normal associated costs such as uniform, trips, and optional clubs.

Breakfast club runs 07.30am to 08.50am. After-school provision runs Monday to Friday from 3.30pm to 5.00pm, which implies the main school day ends around 3.30pm. The attendance information sets an 08.45 playground expectation, which helps with morning planning.

For nursery-aged children, the nursery policy sets session times as 9.00am to 3.15pm and explains how funded early education entitlements can be taken. Nursery fee details are available via the school’s nursery information.

• Reception entry is admin-heavy for a faith school. For September 2026 entry, you need both the Local Authority application and the school’s Supplementary Information Form, with supporting documents. Missing paperwork can affect your oversubscription category.

• Competition is meaningful. The latest figures show 66 applications for 30 offers for the Reception entry route, and the school is oversubscribed. If you have a narrow shortlist, build a realistic Plan B early.

• Foundation subjects are the current development area. External evidence indicates that in some foundation subjects, checking learning retention and practising key vocabulary is not yet consistent enough. This matters if you want the wider curriculum to match the strength of English and maths.

• Attendance expectations are firm. The school communicates punctuality and term-time absence consequences clearly. This consistency suits many families, but it can feel strict if your family circumstances are unpredictable.

Strong Key Stage 2 results and a clear Catholic identity make this a compelling option for families who want structured teaching, high expectations, and a school culture shaped by service and responsibility. It suits pupils who respond well to routine and who enjoy reading, mathematics, and purposeful leadership roles. The main hurdle is admission, and families should treat the application process and documentation as a core part of their strategy, not an afterthought.