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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Expected standardURN 148520

St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy

Academy converter · Bradford · BD9 4BQ

Ages 11–18 · 1,800 pupils · Bradford

School website

Ofsted

Expected standard

Attainment 8

45.5

Overall absence

9.9%

Admissions demand

1.21 · Competitive

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Expected standard

Inspection date

2026-05-19

  • AchievementExpected standard
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
  • Leadership and governanceExpected standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.15
−20+2
Attainment 845.5
English & maths grade 5+37%
English & maths grade 4+64%
EBacc entry49%

EBacc APS: 4.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence9.9%
Persistent absence (10%+)30.9%
Unauthorised5.5%
Authorised absence
4.4%
Severe absence (50%+)
3.7%
Enrolments in measure
1,502

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.21 · Competitive

1st preferences

336

Places offered

285

1st-preference offers

257

Total preferences (any rank)
779
Preferred offers (top 3)
285
Applications from outside LA
9
Offers to outside-LA applicants
6
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill92%

1,800 pupils · 1,950 places

Pupils on roll
1,800
Boys / girls
882 / 918
School capacity
1,950
Capacity fill
1,800 / 1,950 (92%)
Free school meals
28.2%
FSM pupils
410
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Religious character
Roman Catholic
Diocese
Diocese of Leeds (rc)
Governance
Academy trust: BLESSED CHRISTOPHER WHARTON CATHOLIC ACADEMY TRUST
Academy trust
BLESSED CHRISTOPHER WHARTON CATHOLIC ACADEMY TRUST
Sponsor
Blessed Christopher Wharton Catholic Academy Trust
Headteacher
Mr Lawrence Bentley

Location

Address
Highgate, Heaton
Postcode
BD9 4BQ
Town
Bradford
Local authority
Bradford
District
Bradford
Constituency
Bradford West
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Bradford, Bradford, 1,800 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 28.2%. Religious character: Roman Catholic. Diocese: Diocese of Leeds (rc).

Open schools in Bradford
163
Secondary schools in Bradford
25
Academies among open schools in Bradford
59% (96)
Open schools in BD9
16
Secondary in BD9
4
Open schools in Bradford LA
231
Secondary in Bradford LA
32

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in BradfordNear BD9

  • Bradford Girls' Grammar School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Free schools · Secondary

    Bradford · BD9 6RB · Bradford

    Ages 11–16

    • Att846.9
    • P80.1
    • EM5+44%
    • Absence8.9%

    0.9 miles away

  • Oasis Academy Lister Park

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Bradford · BD8 7ND · Bradford

    Ages 11–16

    • Att832.6
    • P8-0.6
    • EM5+28%
    • Absence17.1%

    0.9 miles away

  • Beckfoot Upper Heaton

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Bradford · BD9 6AL · Bradford

    Ages 11–16

    • Att832.7
    • P8-0.7
    • EM5+28%
    • Absence15.2%

    1.0 miles away

  • Belle Vue Girls' Academy

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bradford · BD9 6NA · Bradford

    Ages 11–18

    • Att843.8
    • P80.2
    • EM5+42%
    • Absence8.2%

    1.1 miles away

  • Valley Academy

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Free schools · Secondary

    Bradford · BD8 7DX · Bradford

    Ages 11–16

    • Att830.8
    • P8-1.0
    • EM5+17%
    • Absence12.5%

    1.3 miles away

  • Dixons Cottingley Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Bingley · BD16 1TZ · Bradford

    Ages 11–16

    • Att850.1
    • P80.7
    • EM5+54%
    • Absence11.2%

    1.6 miles away

  • Dixons Kings Academy

    Ofsted: School remains Outstanding

    Free schools · Secondary

    Bradford · BD7 2AN · Bradford

    Ages 11–16

    • Att853.4
    • P80.5
    • EM5+57%
    • Absence7.5%

    1.7 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Lawrence Bentley
Telephone
01274941941
Website
http://sbsj.co.uk/

Official links