St Agnes' Catholic Primary School, Crawcrook Review 2026: Catholic Primary with Top-Tier KS2 Outcomes

A Catholic primary where standards are the headline, but character is the story. In 2024, 90.67% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, far above the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 43.67% reached greater depth, compared with 8% across England. These are exceptional outcomes for any primary, regardless of context.

Leadership has stability. Joanne Woods is headteacher, and has held the role since September 2018. The school sits within the Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust, with trust-level governance and support.

Admissions are competitive for a one-form-entry intake. For the most recent Reception entry route data provided, there were 72 applications for 30 offers, an oversubscription ratio of 2.4 applicants per place. This is a state school with no tuition fees.

The Catholic identity is not a badge on the prospectus, it shapes the daily rhythm. Prayer and liturgy are described as the heartbeat of the school, through daily prayer, regular Celebration of the Word, pastoral prayer in house groups, and termly Mass with the parish priests as a school and parish family. This is reinforced by the way the school talks about community, service, and learning as a shared endeavour between pupils, families, parish, and local area.

Behaviour expectations are clear and unusually codified for a primary. The school sets out everyday civility as a taught habit, with explicit expectations around greetings, courtesy and manners, and a consistent language used by staff. External reviews also describe a tightly understood behaviour culture, with consistent routines and pupils responding well to clarity.

Pastoral culture is closely linked to pupil voice and responsibility. There are multiple leadership roles available, from pupil librarians in Year 5 to teams linked to environmental improvement, plus structured opportunities for pupils to propose clubs and contribute to decision-making. The result is a school that reads as both warm and structured, with clear adult direction and frequent chances for pupils to lead within boundaries.

Performance at key stage 2 sits well above England averages across the board. In 2024:

• Expected standard (reading, writing, maths): 90.67%, compared with 62% across England

• Higher standard (greater depth in reading, writing, maths): 43.67%, compared with 8% across England

• Average scaled scores: reading 108, maths 109, grammar, punctuation and spelling 110

• Combined scaled score total: 327

On the FindMySchool ranking (based on official outcomes data), the school is ranked 922nd in England for primary outcomes and 1st in the local Ryton area, placing it well above the England average (top 10%).

The practical implication for parents is that teaching and curriculum sequencing appear to translate into consistently strong attainment, not just in reading but across the tested core. If you are comparing nearby options, the FindMySchool Local Hub page and Comparison Tool are useful for viewing these results side-by-side, especially when nearby schools have similar intakes but very different attainment patterns.

Reading is positioned as a whole-school priority, and the approach is concrete rather than slogan-led: pupils are expected to access a wide range of books, stories are used deliberately to enrich the wider curriculum, and phonics teaching begins immediately in Reception. Pupils who need to catch up are identified quickly and supported to close gaps.

Curriculum design is described as ambitious and carefully sequenced from Reception to Year 6, with clarity on what pupils should learn and remember. The teaching method is also described with unusual specificity for a primary: a consistent “I do, we do, you do” structure across subjects, frequent checking for understanding, and fast correction of misconceptions. In practice, that tends to suit pupils who benefit from explicit instruction, clear modelling, and repetition that builds secure recall before moving on.

SEND identification and support are described as systematic, with high expectations maintained alongside adaptations when needed. For families, that combination is often the differentiator: not simply whether support exists, but whether it is integrated into mainstream classroom practice without lowering ambition.

As a primary, the key transition is into Year 7. The school explicitly highlights links with St Thomas More Catholic School as a feeder secondary, and frames this relationship as part of its wider partnership approach. For Catholic families, that clarity helps with longer-term planning, especially where faith-based admissions criteria at secondary level may apply.

More broadly, pupils who thrive in structured classrooms with clear expectations are likely to carry those habits into secondary school. The emphasis on reading fluency, vocabulary, and speaking in clear sentences is designed to support access to a wider curriculum later on, particularly in subjects where literacy is a gatekeeper.

Admissions are coordinated through Gateshead Council using the common application form, rather than applying directly. For September 2026 Reception entry, the council’s published timeline includes:

• 8 September 2025: online application system went live

• 15 January 2026: closing date for applications

• 16 April 2026: national offer date

The school is oversubscribed in the latest available Reception entry route figures. With 72 applications and 30 offers, it operates in a competitive space where preferences and criteria matter. For families weighing up realistic chances, it is worth using FindMySchool Map Search to understand your exact position relative to the school, and then cross-checking how the local authority applies the oversubscription rules.

Because the school has a Catholic character, the admissions policy states it was founded by the Catholic Church to educate children of Catholic families, and where applications exceed places, priority is given to Catholic children according to the oversubscription criteria. In practice, that means Catholic families should be ready to supply any required parish or sacramental evidence, and non-Catholic families should read the criteria carefully to understand where places are likely to fall once higher-priority categories are applied.

Open events are not always listed far in advance, but recent school communications indicate a pattern of Reception-focused open mornings in early autumn, often around October, with family events also built into the year such as Stay and Pray sessions. Check the school’s current communications for the next dates.

Pastoral practice is presented as both values-led and operationalised. The school’s wellbeing approach is framed as a whole-school commitment to mental health, explicitly linking consistent behaviour practice, restorative approaches, relationship-building, and resilience teaching. It also describes targeted support routes, including nurture groups and additional support around bereavement and more complex long-term difficulties.

Safeguarding information is detailed and clear about process. The school sets out designated safeguarding personnel, expectations on reporting concerns, and the principle that staff do not investigate concerns themselves. It also references Operation Encompass, a police and school partnership approach designed to ensure pupils affected by domestic abuse incidents receive timely support in school.

As a general point for parents, a school that communicates safeguarding processes plainly tends to be easier to work with when issues arise, because everyone understands the boundaries and the escalation route.

The extracurricular offer has both breadth and distinctive, named elements. Activities referenced include craft, karate, and Irish dancing, alongside a range of sporting opportunities. For pupils, that matters because it provides multiple entry points into school life, not just the standard sport-or-music split that can leave some children on the margins.

Service is a visible strand. Mini Vinnies are highlighted for community work, including regular visits to a local residential home. In a Catholic primary, that is a practical expression of social teaching, but it is also a confidence-builder for pupils, especially those who respond well to purposeful roles.

There is also evidence of enrichment that links learning to real-world contexts. An annual careers fair is described for Year 5 and Year 6 pupils and parents, bringing in local businesses. Meanwhile, school news reflects a steady flow of curriculum-linked showcases and events, including a key stage 2 Christmas performance, a carol service held at the parish church, and structured workshops in STEM.

The school day is clearly defined. Gates open at 08:40, and compulsory hours run from 08:50 to 15:20, totalling 32 hours and 30 minutes per week.

Wraparound care is delivered in partnership with the on-site day nursery. Breakfast club runs from 07:30 to 08:45, and after-school childcare runs from 15:20 to 17:30. Extra-curricular clubs typically run immediately after school from 15:20 to 16:20, with activities changing termly.

For transport and daily logistics, most families will approach this as a local school with short-range travel. The safest way to judge feasibility is to test the school run at the times above, since local traffic patterns and parking constraints can change materially between term time and holidays.

• Faith commitment is real. Prayer, liturgy, and parish links are embedded in daily life, including termly Mass and a structured liturgical calendar. Families who prefer a more secular environment should weigh this carefully.

• Oversubscription is a practical barrier. With 2.4 applications per place in the latest Reception entry-route figures, careful reading of criteria and realistic preference planning matter.

• A structured culture can feel demanding for some pupils. High expectations, explicit behaviour routines, and consistency suit many children, but those who need more flexibility may take time to adapt.

• Open events are time-sensitive. The school appears to run Reception-focused open mornings in early autumn, but dates vary; families should check current communications rather than relying on last year’s diary.

For a Catholic primary, the combination here is compelling: a clearly lived faith identity, a highly structured approach to learning and behaviour, and KS2 outcomes that place it well above the England average. The limiting factor is usually admission rather than quality.

Best suited to families who want a distinctly Catholic culture, value consistent routines, and are looking for very strong core outcomes, especially where reading and curriculum sequencing matter. For families outside the likely admissions priority groups, the key question is not whether the school is strong, it is whether entry is realistic under the oversubscription criteria.