St Joseph's Catholic School Review 2026: A Community Moving Forward

St Joseph's Catholic School sits in the village of Laverstock, on the eastern outskirts of Salisbury. Serving a mixed-gender student population aged 11 to 16, the school operates as a voluntary academy within the Dunstan Catholic Federation. While its historical performance metrics have faced challenges, the school is currently defined by a period of significant transition and cultural shift.

The school community is relatively small for a secondary institution, with a capacity of 625 students. This smaller scale allows for a more personal environment where staff can maintain close oversight of student wellbeing. Following a Requires Improvement rating from Ofsted in early 2024, the school has undergone a leadership change. Mrs Mirella Russo took the helm as Head Teacher in September 2024, bringing a fresh perspective and a clear mandate for improvement. The current focus is squarely on elevating academic expectations and refining the curriculum to ensure all students can reach their potential.

The atmosphere at St Joseph's is deeply rooted in its Catholic identity, which serves as the school's moral and social compass. The motto, Christi Similitudo (The Likeness of Christ), is woven into the daily fabric of school life, emphasizing service, compassion, and personal integrity. Visitors will find a community that prioritizes kindness and pastoral support, often functioning like a large family.

Physically, the school occupies a site in Laverstock that it shares with several other educational institutions, creating a "learning village" feel. The grounds provide ample green space, and the internal environment is marked by displays of student work and religious iconography that reflect its mission.

The arrival of Mrs Russo has brought a renewed sense of purpose. Her leadership emphasizes high expectations and high standards, a mantra designed to shift the school culture toward greater academic rigour. While the transition is ongoing, there is a palpable sense of momentum as the school works to address previous inconsistencies in teaching and student behaviour.

St Joseph's Catholic School currently sits in a position where academic recovery is the priority. In the 2024 GCSE results, the school achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 39.9. This indicates that while students are securing qualifications, there is a gap between the school's outcomes and the England average.

Ranked 3,264th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 8th among 11 secondary schools in the Salisbury area, the school is currently performing in line with the bottom 40% of schools in England (national lower band). The Progress 8 score of -0.64 reflects that, on average, students are achieving roughly two thirds of a grade lower than their peers nationally with similar starting points.

However, these figures provide a baseline for the current improvement plan. The school is focusing heavily on the EBacc (English Baccalaureate) subjects; currently, only 3.9% of students achieve a grade 5 or above in the EBacc, compared to an England average of 40.5%. Closing this gap is a central pillar of the new leadership's strategy.

Teaching at St Joseph's is currently being restructured to ensure consistency across all departments. The curriculum follows the national framework but is enriched by the school's specialist status in Business and Enterprise. This focus is intended to develop students' practical skills and financial literacy alongside their academic studies.

In the classroom, there is a move toward more structured and rigorous lesson delivery. The leadership team is investing heavily in staff development to ensure that subject knowledge is translated into effective classroom practice. Religious Education is, naturally, a core subject for all students, and it is taught with a depth that encourages critical thinking and personal reflection on ethical issues.

The school also places a high value on reading and literacy across the curriculum. Interventions are in place for students who enter Year 7 below the expected standard, ensuring they can access the full breadth of the secondary curriculum as quickly as possible.

Where Students Go Next

As a 11 to 16 school, the transition at the end of Year 11 is a critical milestone. St Joseph's works closely with local post-16 providers to ensure students find appropriate pathways. Many students progress to Salisbury 6th Form College or Wiltshire College for further education and vocational courses.

The school provides a robust careers programme that begins in Year 7. This includes employer talks, mock interviews, and work experience placements, leveraging the school's Business and Enterprise links. For students aiming for A-levels, there are established routes into the selective Bishop Wordsworth’s and South Wilts Grammar Schools for those who meet the entry criteria, as well as several local academy sixth forms.

St Joseph's is a voluntary academy, and while it is a Catholic school, it welcomes students of all faiths and none who support its ethos. However, it is a highly popular choice in the local area. For the most recent intake, the school received 257 applications for just 101 places, making it significantly oversubscribed with a subscription proportion of 2.54.

Admissions are coordinated through Wiltshire Council. Priority is given to looked-after children, followed by baptized Catholic children living in the designated parishes, and then siblings of current students. Families applying under the faith criteria must complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) and provide a baptismal certificate.

Parents should note that while the school is oversubscribed, the 100% offer rate for first-preference applicants in the most recent cycle suggests that those who put St Joseph's at the top of their list are frequently successful if they meet the criteria.

Fees & Financial Aid

St Joseph's Catholic School is a state-funded voluntary aided school. This means there are no tuition fees for students to attend. As a state school, it does not offer traditional private school scholarships or bursaries. However, the school works hard to ensure that all students can participate in school life regardless of financial background. Hardship funds may be available for specific items such as school trips or uniform for families meeting certain criteria. Parents are encouraged to speak confidentially with the school office regarding any financial support needs.

Pastoral care is widely regarded as one of St Joseph's strongest features. The school's Catholic ethos places the "sanctity of the individual" at the heart of its support structures. Each student belongs to a tutor group that meets daily, providing a consistent point of contact for both students and parents.

The school operates a house system, which fosters a sense of belonging and healthy competition. Older students often take on leadership roles as prefects or peer mentors, supporting younger pupils in their transition to secondary school. The school chaplain plays a visible and active role, providing spiritual guidance and a listening ear for students of all backgrounds.

The Special Educational Needs (SEN) department is well-regarded for its inclusive approach. Support is integrated into the classroom where possible, supplemented by targeted small-group interventions for those requiring more specialized help with literacy, numeracy, or social skills.

The extracurricular life at St Joseph's is diverse, with a strong emphasis on the arts and sport. The school's music department is particularly active, with a choir and various ensembles that perform at liturgical events and in the wider community.

Sporting opportunities are extensive, utilizing the school's large playing fields and sports hall. Students represent the school in football, netball, athletics, and rugby. For those interested in the creative arts, the school produces a major theatrical production annually, involving students in everything from acting to stage management and lighting.

STEM is also a developing area of interest, with coding clubs and participation in national challenges like the UKMT Junior Mathematical Challenge. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme is popular, offering students the chance to develop resilience and leadership through outdoor expeditions and community service.

The school day begins at 8:40 am and concludes at 3:10 pm. The school site is accessible by several local bus routes, and many students walk from the surrounding areas of Laverstock and Salisbury.

For parents requiring wraparound care, it is important to note that secondary schools typically do not offer formal breakfast or after school clubs in the same manner as primary schools. However, the library is often open for supervised study before and after school, and many extracurricular activities run until 4:15 pm. Parents should contact the school office directly for the most current schedule of after-school provision.

• Academic Journey: The school received a Requires Improvement rating from Ofsted in February 2024. While the new leadership has a clear plan, parents should be aware that performance metrics are currently below the England average.
• Oversubscribed: With 2.54 applications for every place, St Joseph's is a competitive choice. Families who do not meet the higher priority faith or sibling criteria may find it more difficult to secure a place.
• Faith Ethos: The Catholic identity is central to the school. This includes daily prayer, regular Masses, and an emphasis on Gospel values. Families should be comfortable with this pervasive religious character.
• 11 to 16 Structure: As there is no on-site sixth form, students must prepare to change institutions at the end of Year 11. While the school provides excellent transition support, this is a significant move for 16 year olds.

St Joseph's Catholic School is a community on the move. It offers a warm, supportive, and values-driven environment that many parents find deeply reassuring. While its recent academic data highlights areas for growth, the energy brought by the new leadership suggests a school that is determined to provide a more rigorous academic experience for its students.

This school is best suited to families in the Salisbury area who value a faith-based education and a smaller, more personal secondary environment. It will particularly appeal to those who prioritize pastoral care and wellbeing as the foundation for academic progress. Families who secure a place will join a community that is working hard to marry its traditional caring ethos with a new era of high expectations.