St Joseph's College 11+

How to get into St Joseph's College

St Joseph's College is a selective secondary school in Stoke-on-Trent. To get into St Joseph's College children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into St Joseph's College with all the important information you need to know.

School Background and Overview

St Joseph's College is a co-educational selective Catholic secondary school located in Trent Vale, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ^[1]. The school serves students aged 11 to 18 years old. Founded by the Christian Brothers in 1932, the school occupies a Grade II listed building.

The school offers 150 places annually for Year 7 entry and has no designated catchment area. St Joseph's College was rated Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted. Recently, 97% of the school's A level students passed their courses, with 51% achieving A* to B grades.

Admission Requirements

Children must pass the St Joseph's College 11+ examination to be eligible for admission. Students need to achieve a standardised mark of 105 to meet the requirements for admission. Approximately 75% of applicants reach the school's qualifying standard.

For Year 7 entry in September 2025, families must complete both the school entrance test registration and submit a local authority application form. Incomplete applications are not considered by the Governing Board.

• Age eligibility: Children born between 1st September 2013 and 31st August 2014 for September 2025 entry
• No catchment area restrictions - applications accepted from any local authority area
• Academic requirement: Pass the St Joseph's College 11+ with a standardised score of 105 or above
• Dual application process: Register for entrance test and complete local authority form

The St Joseph's College 11+ Examination

The test comprises 2 papers: Verbal and Non-Verbal reasoning. The test is multiple choice and standardised. The Verbal Reasoning paper takes 50 minutes, while the Non-Verbal Reasoning paper takes 40 minutes.

The Verbal Reasoning paper tests logical thinking, use of English language and vocabulary. The Non-Verbal Reasoning paper measures the ability to understand, interpret and problem-solve, testing logic and intelligence rather than knowledge.

• Format: Two multiple-choice papers taken on separate days
• Verbal Reasoning:50 minutes testing language and logical thinking skills
• Non-Verbal Reasoning:40 minutes testing visual problem-solving abilities
• Age standardisation: Marks adjusted based on child's birth month for fairness
• Pass mark:105 standardised points required

Key Dates and Application Timeline

Registration for the entrance test opens on 1st July 2024 and closes on 6th September 2024 (see key dates). The entrance test takes place on 17th, 18th and 19th September 2024 (see key dates).

Families must submit their local authority application by 31st October 2024 (see key dates). Results for St Joseph's College come out in October (see key dates).

• 1st July 2024: Entrance test registration opens (see key dates)
• 6th September 2024: Final deadline for test registration (see key dates)
• 17th-19th September 2024:St Joseph's College 11+ examination dates (see key dates)
• 31st October 2024: Local authority application deadline (see key dates)
• October 2024: Results notification (see key dates)
• September 2025: Year 7 entry begins (see key dates)

Application Process

St Joseph's College follows the Stoke-on-Trent Local Authority co-ordinated admissions scheme. Families must complete two separate applications for their child to be considered for admission.

For admission in September 2025, parents must apply to the school to take the entrance test and complete their local authority secondary school application form by the end of October naming St Joseph's College as one of their preferred schools.

• Step 1: Register for the entrance test directly with the school by 6th September 2024
• Step 2: Complete the Common Application Form (CAF) through local authority
• Step 3: Submit local authority form by 31st October 2024 naming St Joseph's College
• Step 4: Attend scheduled entrance examination in September
• Step 5: Await results notification in October
• Contact details available in the school information section

Oversubscription Criteria

Places are allocated among qualified candidates using criteria based on faith, siblings and distance. The oversubscription criteria prioritise baptised Catholic children, followed by Christian children, then non-Christian children.

Baptised Catholic children are limited so that categories 1-4 cannot exceed 125 places, while Christian children are limited so that categories 6-8 cannot exceed 18 places.

• Priority 1: Baptised Catholic children who are looked after or previously looked after
• Priority 2: Baptised Catholic children with siblings at the school
• Priority 3: Baptised Catholic children of staff members
• Priority 4: Other baptised Catholic children
• Priority 5: Non-Catholic looked after or previously looked after children
• Priority 6: Christian children with siblings at the school
• Priority 7: Non-Christian children with siblings at the school

Preparation Guidance

Families should begin preparation well in advance of the examination date. Children should aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests as a ballpark figure for successful candidates.

Practice papers can be obtained from WH Smith or online through Amazon or eBay. For comprehensive preparation resources, families can access practice 11-plus papers and consider 11-plus tutoring.

• Start early: Begin preparation at least 6-12 months before the exam
• Target score: Aim for 75-80% in practice tests
• Focus areas: Verbal and Non-Verbal reasoning skills
• Practice regularly: Use standardised practice papers from reputable sources
• Time management: Practice within the official time limits
• Free resources available through practice 11-plus papers
• Professional support through 11-plus tutoring

Practical Advice for Examination Day

The examination takes place over three days in September at the school premises. It is important that families provide the correct date of birth so that the marking scheme can be applied correctly, making it fair for children born at different times of the academic year.

Children should arrive well-rested and prepared for the multiple-choice format. The tests are standardised and age-adjusted, ensuring fairness for all candidates regardless of their birth month within the academic year.

• Arrive early: Plan journey to school in advance to avoid stress
• Bring essentials: Pencils, erasers, and any permitted materials
• Stay calm: Remind children that the test measures their natural abilities
• Read instructions: Ensure children understand the multiple-choice format
• Manage time: Practice pacing during preparation
• No revision: Avoid intensive study on the morning of the exam

Alternative Schools in Stoke-on-Trent

Families should consider applying to multiple schools in the Stoke-on-Trent area as backup options. The local authority operates a co-ordinated admissions scheme that allows families to list several preferences on their application form.

Other grammar and high-performing schools in the region should be researched and included on the local authority application form. This ensures children have alternative options if they do not secure a place at St Joseph's College.

• Research alternatives: Identify other high-performing secondary schools in the area
• Apply broadly: List multiple preferences on the local authority form
• Consider distance: Factor in travel time to alternative schools
• Visit schools: Attend open days at backup options
• Understand criteria: Review admission requirements for each school

Special Educational Needs Support

Access arrangements are available for the entrance test for those with special educational needs. Families with children who have identified learning needs should contact the school directly to discuss appropriate support arrangements.

Early communication with the school about any special requirements ensures that children can access the examination under appropriate conditions. This may include additional time, alternative formats, or other reasonable adjustments.

• Early contact: Discuss needs with school before registration deadline
• Provide evidence: Submit relevant professional assessments or reports
• Request adjustments: Ensure appropriate exam conditions are arranged
• Follow procedures: Complete any additional forms required for access arrangements
• Contact the school information section for specific guidance

Financial Support

St Joseph's College has financial assistance available each year to support students who may face financial difficulties, particularly when continuing in the sixth form. The school is free, with no school fees for admission.

Families experiencing financial hardship can access the school's bursary scheme for sixth form students. This support is designed to facilitate education and remove financial barriers to continued learning.

St Joseph's College 11+ Information

In order to get into St Joseph's College, children need to pass the St Joseph's College 11+. This 11+ test is written internally for exclusive use by the school (rather than by an external company like GL Assessment, CSSE or CEM).

St Joseph's College 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as St Joseph's College is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

St Joseph's College 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the St Joseph's College 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at St Joseph's College, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

11+ Tutor for St Joseph's College

As the St Joseph's College 11+ entrance process is particularly gruelling, we would highly recommend using an 11+ private tutor.

Why use a private 11+ tutor?

Personal tutors have the experience and expertise to help children pass their 11+ exams. They know the requirements of the 11+ tests inside-out and can provide tailored support to give children the best possible chance of success. It's also important to bear in mind that plenty of other children will be using private tutors too.

11+ tutors don't need to be face-to-face, plenty of children use online 11+ tutors.

11+ tutors can also provide regular progress reports and feedback, helping parents to monitor their child's progress and make any necessary adjustments to their preparation.

Most importantly, using an 11+ tutor helps ensure that the preparation work gets done!

Private 11+ Tutors for the St Joseph's College 11+ Tests

We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the St Joseph's College 11+ entrance tests. Please click here to be put in touch with a range of excellent 11+ private tutors from our friends at exams.courses.

11+ Past Papers for St Joseph's College

Unfortunately, St Joseph's College has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use However, you can use 11+ practice papers from other exam boards (such as GL Assessment, CEM and CSSE) to help your child prepare.

11+ Practice Papers for St Joseph's College

Unfortunately, there are no targeted 11+ practice papers for St Joseph's College available. However, you can use 11+ practice papers from other exam boards (such as GL Assessment, CEM and CSSE) to help your child prepare.

School Information

Below you will find further information about St Joseph's College together with their admissions contact details.

St Joseph's College is a mixed (i.e. both girls and boys) school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,156 pupils attend St Joseph's College and it's led by the Headteacher, Ms Melissa Roberts.

St Joseph's College Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

Ofsted Information

St Joseph's College was last inspected by Ofsted on 04/02/2014 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 06/03/2014, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at St Joseph's College for the 2022-23 academic year.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for St Joseph's College per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)