St Joseph's College occupies a unique position in the educational landscape of North Staffordshire. As the only Catholic grammar school in the area, it fuses the academic rigour of selective education with a deeply held faith-based mission.
The school, rated Outstanding by Ofsted in April 2025, serves as a beacon for families seeking high standards; there are roughly three applicants for every place. While the red-brick 1930s architecture suggests tradition, the atmosphere is forward-looking, driven by the charism of its founders, the Christian Brothers. This is a place where academic selection is balanced by a mandate to serve, creating a culture that is as concerned with moral character as it is with algebra.
The ethos at St Joseph's is palpable from the moment you pass the statue of the patron saint at the entrance. The motto, Fideliter et Fortiter (Faithful and Strong), permeates school life. It is not a quiet or sombre environment; the corridors hum with the purposeful energy of 1,100 motivated students.
Mrs Charlotte Slattery, the Headteacher, leads with a focus on the "Edmund Rice" values—named after the founder of the Christian Brothers—which emphasise social justice and advocacy. You are as likely to see students organising food banks for the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) as you are to see them rehearsing for the school production. The school prides itself on being an "inclusive grammar school," a phrase that might seem contradictory elsewhere but here reflects a genuine commitment to welcoming students of various backgrounds who meet the academic threshold.
The site itself is a blend of the historic and the functional. The original grammar school building provides a traditional heart, while newer additions, including science laboratories and a dedicated Sixth Form centre, cater to the demands of a modern curriculum.
Academically, St Joseph's is a heavyweight. In 2024, the school achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.81. This exceptional figure indicates that, on average, students here achieve nearly one full grade higher across all subjects than students of similar ability nationally.
Attainment is equally impressive. In 2024, over 35% of GCSE entries were awarded grades 9-7 (equivalent to A*-A), and the average Attainment 8 score stood at 62 (England average: 45.9). The school ranks 802nd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 3rd among secondary schools in Stoke-on-Trent, placing it in the top tier locally.
At A-level, the performance remains robust. In 2024, 49% of grades were A*-B. The school ranks 1,113th in England for A-level outcomes, reflecting solid performance that sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile).
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
48.94%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
35.7%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum is unashamedly ambitious. The school uses its academy freedom to ensure a broad academic diet that prioritises the English Baccalaureate (EBacc). In 2024, 95% of students entered the EBacc, more than double the England average of 40%.
Teaching is expert and brisk. Staff assume a high level of prior attainment and pitch lessons accordingly. In Key Stage 3, students cover separate sciences, humanities, and languages, with Religious Education treated as a core academic discipline through to GCSE. The approach is often traditional, valuing deep subject knowledge and structured enquiry, but students are also encouraged to debate and question, particularly in the thriving Sixth Form.
Quality of Education
N/A
Behaviour & Attitudes
N/A
Personal Development
N/A
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
The majority of Year 11 students choose to remain at St Joseph's for Sixth Form, where they are joined by external applicants attracted by the school's reputation. In 2024, 64% of leavers progressed to university, with a significant proportion securing places at Russell Group institutions. One student secured a place at Oxbridge.
Alternative pathways are also well-supported; 4% of students moved into higher-level apprenticeships, and 16% entered employment, often leveraging the school's strong links with local industry and alumni.
Total Offers
1
Offer Success Rate: 10%
Cambridge
1
Offers
Oxford
—
Offers
Entry to St Joseph's is highly competitive. The school is a member of the West Midlands Grammar Schools partnership. For Year 7 entry, candidates must sit an entrance examination that assesses verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and mathematics.
Admissions are coordinated with the Stoke-on-Trent Local Authority, but the process has an added layer of complexity due to the school's faith character. Families applying under faith criteria must complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) and provide evidence of baptism.
In 2024, the school received 449 applications for 149 places. Priority is given to looked-after children and baptised Catholic children who meet the required academic standard. If places remain, they are offered to other children who meet the standard, often prioritising other Christian denominations or faiths that support the school's ethos.
Families looking for 2027 entry should plan to register for the test in the summer of 2026.
Applications
449
Total received
Places Offered
149
Subscription Rate
3.0x
Apps per place
Pastoral care is delivered through a Year Head system, supported by form tutors and a dedicated student support team. The school's Catholic mission means that pastoral care is viewed as a ministry; every child is considered known and loved.
The Chaplaincy is central to this support structure, offering a sanctuary for students of all faiths and none. It organises retreats, liturgies, and peer support groups. Safeguarding procedures are rigorous, and the 2025 Ofsted report highlighted the strong culture of acceptance and inclusion, noting that students feel safe and well-supported.
The extracurricular life of the school is vibrant. Sport is a major strength; the school fields competitive teams in football, netball, rugby, and athletics, utilising its expansive playing fields.
Music and drama are integral to the school's cultural identity. The school choir and orchestra perform regularly, both within the liturgy and in public concerts.
A student-led group focused on social action and community charity.
The team behind the school's Green Flag status, driving sustainability projects.
A popular forum for honing rhetorical skills.
St Joseph's College is a state-funded academy and charges no tuition fees. Education is free for all students.
Parents should be aware of standard state school costs, such as uniforms, sports kits, and voluntary contributions for trips or residential retreats. The school runs a 16-19 Bursary Fund for Sixth Form students facing financial hardship, which can assist with transport, meals, and educational resources.
State-funded school (families may still pay for uniforms, trips, and optional activities).
08:50 – 15:15 (Monday to Friday).
Located on the A34 London Road, the school is accessible via public bus routes from across Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme. There is no dedicated private school bus service.
Breakfast club is available from 08:00.
Faith Commitment: The Catholic ethos is pervasive. All students are expected to attend Mass, participate in the religious life of the school, and study Religious Education. Families seeking a purely secular education may find this environment unfamiliar.
High Stakes Entry: With three applicants for every place, entry is far from guaranteed even for able children. The pressure of the 11+ process can be significant, and families should ensure their child is prepared for the competitive nature of the admissions cycle.
Academic Pace: As a grammar school, the pace of learning is fast. The curriculum is designed for the top 25% of the ability range, and students are expected to work with a high degree of independence.
St Joseph's College offers a first-class education that rivals the best independent schools, without the fees. It combines high academic standards with a genuine moral purpose. Best suited to academically able children who will thrive in a structured, faith-filled environment that values service as highly as success. The main challenge is securing a place.
Yes. St Joseph's College was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in April 2025. The report praised the ambitious curriculum and exemplary behaviour. The school consistently achieves a Progress 8 score well above the national average (+0.81 in 2024).
No. While priority is given to Catholic children, the school welcomes applications from children of other faiths and no faith, provided they meet the academic standard in the entrance test. However, due to oversubscription, non-Catholic places can be limited.
The school does not use a fixed distance catchment area for its primary selection criteria. Places are awarded based on academic performance and faith criteria. Distance from the school is used only as a tie-breaker within specific admission categories.
You must register your child for the West Midlands Grammar Schools entrance test in the summer of Year 5. You must also complete your Local Authority's Common Application Form (CAF) by 31 October of Year 6. If applying under faith criteria, you must also submit a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) directly to the school.
There are no fees. St Joseph's College is a state-funded grammar school (academy).
Get in touch with the school directly
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