St Filumena's Catholic Primary School Review 2026: Elite Key Stage 2 outcomes, faith-led culture, high demand

Academic performance sits at the sharp end of the state primary sector here. Based on the most recent published Key Stage 2 results almost all pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics, and the school ranks 65th in England and 1st in Stoke-on-Trent for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data). This places it among the highest-performing schools in England (top 2%).

Faith is not a bolt-on. Catholic life runs through routines, worship, and the way pupils are encouraged to treat one another. For many families, the appeal is a combination of clear expectations, strong teaching, and a community shaped by parish links. Demand is also real, with recent admissions data showing materially more applications than offers.

The school’s stated mission focuses on sharing the Catholic faith through love of God, love of each other, and love of the wider community, with the motto “I am loved” used consistently across school messaging.

Daily life is structured and purposeful. A strong theme across formal reporting is calm learning spaces, high motivation, and pupils who feel safe because relationships with staff and peers are warm and consistent.

Catholic identity is visible in practice rather than only in policies. The school chaplaincy describes weekly support for pupils and staff, including Mass, assemblies and class liturgies, and a “Chatterbox” listening system where pupils can request time with the chaplain for worries or anxieties.

Leadership in January 2026 is shown on the school website as Principal Mr Matthew Killeen, supported by Assistant Principal Mr Jack Huson, alongside a named SENDCo and a lay chaplain in the staffing list.

This is a high-performing primary by any measure.

’s most recent Key Stage 2 outcomes, 97.33% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 48% achieved greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics, compared with the England average of 8%. Reading and maths scaled scores are also strong (reading 109; maths 112; grammar, punctuation and spelling 115).

Rankings reinforce the picture. The school is ranked 65th in England and 1st in Stoke-on-Trent for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), placing it in the elite tier, among the highest-performing in England (top 2%).

Curriculum ambition is not limited to English and mathematics. External reporting highlights an “ambitious curriculum” delivered by staff who are trained to teach it as intended, with subject leadership treated as a whole-staff responsibility.

Early reading appears to be treated as a first-priority skill. Pupils start learning to read from their first days in Reception and develop confidence and fluency quickly, with many reading fluently by Year 3 in the most recent inspection narrative.

There is also evidence of specialist input beyond the core class teacher model. The school prospectus lists specialist teaching support, including computing and design and technology provision linked to Painsley, alongside a dedicated SENDCo role.

For many families, the transition story matters as much as Year 6 outcomes.

The school prospectus states that most pupils transfer to Painsley Catholic High School after finishing primary education. This tends to suit families who want continuity of Catholic education, and who value a clear, familiar pathway at the point of transfer.

As with any primary, individual destinations will vary year to year based on family preference, admissions criteria, and any selective or faith-based applications made by families. Where this school differs is that its admissions and curriculum messaging emphasise both academic formation and Catholic life, so the typical “next step” is often aligned to that ethos.

This is an oversubscribed school in recent admissions data. The dataset shows 57 applications for 23 offers for the main primary entry route, a subscription proportion of 2.48, and an oversubscribed status.

Reception admissions are handled through Staffordshire’s coordinated process, with the school’s admissions arrangements published by the local authority. The published admission number is 30 for Reception.

Because the school has a Catholic character, oversubscription criteria give priority to baptised Catholic children (including looked-after and previously looked-after children), then baptised Catholic children living in the Parish of St. Filumena’s, Caverswall, then other baptised Catholic children, followed by non-Catholic looked-after or previously looked-after children, then other non-Catholic children. Evidence of Catholic baptism or reception into the Church is required for a child to be considered Catholic for admissions purposes.

Key dates for September 2026 entry are clear in the local authority admissions arrangements: applications are due by 15 January 2026, and families are advised of outcomes on 16 April 2026 (or the next working day). The school’s own admissions page also flags September 2026 applications and encourages families to arrange a visit.

For families mapping probabilities, FindMySchool’s Map Search can help you check travel practicality and understand how close you are to the school relative to local patterns, even when an exact last offered distance is not published for a given year.

The pastoral model is strongly shaped by relationships and routine. Pupils are encouraged to speak up when something worries them, and safeguarding arrangements are described as effective in the most recent formal reporting.

Chaplaincy is used as a practical support mechanism rather than only a worship function. The Chatterbox approach, alongside class and whole-school liturgies, gives pupils a structured way to request a conversation and be listened to, while also being clear that serious worries should go directly to a teacher.

Support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is described in the latest inspection narrative as well-organised, with early identification and strategies designed to keep pupils accessing the same curriculum as peers wherever possible.

Extracurricular life is organised and specific rather than generic.

For Spring Term 2026 (first half term), the school lists clubs including EYFS and Key Stage 1 Multi-skills, Key Stage 2 Press Gang (Newspaper), Young Voices Choir, Key Stage 2 Netball, Drama for Years 2 to 6, and Key Stage 2 Gymnastics. All are listed as running 3.20pm to 4.20pm, with booking via ParentPay.

There is also an explicit link between pupil development and practical life skills. The most recent inspection narrative states that pupils learn to ride a bike and swim by the time they leave the school, and that pupils take on leadership roles such as sports and computing leaders.

Faith-linked service is part of the wider offer too. Mini Vinnies is open to pupils in Years 4 to 6 and includes prayer, team-building, friendship, supporting the spiritual life of the school (such as monitoring prayer areas and leading prayer), and charity fundraising.

This is a state school with no tuition fees.

The school prospectus lists pupil attendance hours as 8.40am to 3.20pm for Reception, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, with pupils arriving from 8.30am and registers closing at 9.00am. The prospectus and inspection information also indicate that before- and after-school provision operates, with a dedicated wraparound care page explaining pre-booking and advance payment via the school’s booking system.

The setting is in Caverswall, Blythe Bridge (Staffordshire), which typically suits families who want a village or semi-rural feel while still being within reach of Stoke-on-Trent.

• Oversubscription is a practical barrier. Recent admissions data shows far more applications than offers. Families should plan early, understand the admissions criteria, and keep alternatives in view.

• Catholic priority criteria matter. Where the school is oversubscribed, baptised Catholic children are prioritised and evidence is required to access those categories.

• A supplementary form may apply. The local authority admissions arrangements indicate that a supplementary information form is required alongside the main application in the normal admissions round.

• Clubs and wraparound require active management. Clubs and wraparound are clearly organised, but they rely on pre-booking and systems, which works well for many families but can feel less flexible than informal arrangements.

St Filumena’s Catholic Primary School combines a deeply embedded Catholic identity with academic outcomes that place it among the strongest primary schools in England. The structured day, calm learning climate, and clear curriculum intent will suit pupils who respond well to consistent routines and high expectations.

Who it suits: families seeking a faith-led primary with exceptionally strong Key Stage 2 outcomes, and who are comfortable engaging with the admissions requirements and the realities of competition for places.