St Joseph's College
School summary
A Roman Catholic grammar school in Stoke-on-Trent, St Joseph's College draws together academic selection with a faith-based ethos and has earned Outstanding judgements from Ofsted across every area inspected, from quality of education to sixth form. With around 1,132 pupils, it sits slightly above its stated capacity of 1,115, a sign of strong local demand. Roughly a quarter of pupils speak English as an additional language, giving the school a notably diverse community. Entry is at age 11.
How hard is it to get in?
Competitive · 2 of 5 on the Passmate scale. Demand exceeds the 150 Year 7 places in most years, though less sharply than at the most oversubscribed schools.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
Key dates · 2028 entry
Free month · No payment needed
Latest results
Attainment 8
62.4
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
78%
National average 47%
Inspection reports
- Ofsted overall
- Not judged
- Quality of education
- Outstanding
- Behaviour & attitudes
- Outstanding
- Last inspected
- 29 April 2025
Teaching & academics
Results are well ahead of national benchmarks: the average Attainment 8 score of 62.4 comfortably exceeds the national figure of 46.9, and 78% of pupils secure grade 5 or above in English and Maths against a national average of 47%. Ofsted rated quality of education and the sixth form as Outstanding. A pupil-to-teacher ratio of about 16.3 underpins the teaching, which is recognised as a real strength.
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 2.3%
- EHC plans
- 0.8%
- English as additional language
- 24.4%
- Free school meals
- 6.1%
Schools nearby
Haberdashers' Adams
Newport, West Midlands
Newport Girls' High School Academy
Newport, West Midlands
Saint Ambrose College
Altrincham, North West
Wolverhampton Girls' High School
Wolverhampton, West Midlands
Altrincham Grammar School for Boys
Altrincham, North West
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls
Altrincham, North West
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A selective, faith-rooted grammar with Outstanding inspection results and figures that speak for themselves. Strong demand and full classrooms suggest competition for the 150 places will be keen.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
Free month · No payment needed
St Joseph's College 11+: frequently asked questions
Passmate rating: benchmarked against every selective school in England using official admissions data. It measures demand for places, not school quality. Updated July 2026.
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.