Your child will benefit from focused, structured preparation in both verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
St Joseph’s College 11 Plus Guide
If you’re considering St Joseph’s College for your child’s secondary education, this 2026 admissions guide explains everything you need to know. It outlines the application process, details about the 11 Plus entrance exam, and practical tips to help your child prepare successfully.
At a Glance
Assessment: Individual
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Mixed Boys and Girls
Places per year: 150
Competition: Medium
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Introduction to
St Joseph’s College
St Joseph’s College is a co-educational Catholic grammar school in Stoke-on-Trent, offering a values-led, academically focused education for pupils from diverse backgrounds. As a state-funded academy, it charges no tuition fees.
The school is recognised for its strong academic performance, supportive ethos and broad curriculum. Students enjoy high-quality teaching and a range of enrichment opportunities, including sports, music and leadership activities.
With an emphasis on respect, responsibility and service, St Joseph’s College nurtures both academic excellence and personal growth. Admission to Year 7 is selective and determined by performance in the school’s entrance exam.
1
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for St Joseph’s College
2
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for St Joseph’s College
3
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at St Joseph’s College
4
Preparing for the 11 Plus
Help your child prepare with tips, exam papers, and featured tuition agencies
5
Key Dates
All key dates and application information for St Joseph’s College
6
How to Apply
Information on the application process for St Joseph’s College
7
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for St Joseph’s College
8
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
St Joseph's College’s Key Information
Here is the key information to help with finding and contacting St Joseph’s College for admission.
School Address
Full Address:
St Joseph’s College, London Road, Trent ValeStoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST4 5NT
Contact Information
Telephone (Main Office)
01782 848008
Website Address
https://www.stjosephstrentvale.com/
Admissions Email
Admissions@stjosephsmail.com
Parking in the school
There is parking within the school as well as nearby on-street parking
Additional parking off site
- Car Park: CCP Parking, Hilton Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 6RP, 40 minute walk from the school.
- Car Park: Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Spark Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 1NY, 50 minute walk from the school.
The Henrietta Barnett School Ofsted Report
The quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Sixth-form provision
Outstanding
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Outstanding across all areas, reflecting the school’s exceptional academic standards and nurturing ethos.
Academic strength: Pupils achieve exceptionally well through a carefully sequenced, ambitious curriculum that promotes deep understanding across subjects.
Teaching and curriculum: Expert teachers plan engaging lessons, check understanding effectively and provide high-quality feedback that helps pupils excel.
Behaviour and culture: Behaviour is exemplary. Pupils are respectful, kind and proud of their school, benefiting from extensive extracurricular opportunities.
Leadership and safeguarding: Leadership and governance are highly effective. Staff feel supported, and safeguarding is strong, ensuring pupils feel safe and valued.
St Joseph's College Exam Format
St Joseph’s College uses its own entrance exam for Year 7 admission. The school does not use GL Assessment or CEM, and there is no shared testing system with other local schools.
St Joseph's College Exam Format: Overview
The entrance test consists of two papers. These papers are created by the school to evaluate whether applicants are suited to the academic pace and expectations of a grammar school. The format may vary slightly each year, so families are encouraged to use past papers or familiarisation materials when possible.
Paper One
Verbal Reasoning: 50 minute, multiple-choice paper, assessing logic, vocabulary and language-based problem-solving skills.
Paper Two
Non-Verbal Reasoning: 40 minute, multiple-choice paper, testing pattern recognition, spatial awareness and visual problem-solving ability.
11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
All children who score 105 or above across both standardised papers will be invited to apply to the school. If there are more applicants than places, the school will then use their oversubscription criteria.
Catchment Area
Tie breakers for oversubscription will be resolved by giving priority to those living closest to the school. Otherwise there is no catchment area.
Additional Eligibility
If more pupils meet the academic standard than there are available places, the following order of priority applies:
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Looked-after and previously looked-after children
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Catholic children attending named feeder primary schools
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Other Catholic children
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Siblings of current pupils
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Other applicants, ranked by entrance exam score
While religious affiliation can affect priority, all candidates must meet the academic standard in the entrance exam to be considered for a place.
Click here to view the full St Joseph’s College admissions policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at St Joseph’s College
Useful Tips
Start Early
Begin preparation in Year 4 or the start of Year 5. This allows plenty of time for steady progress without creating too much pressure.
Use Exam Papers
Work through timed exam papers together to build familiarity with the question style and develop exam technique.
Target Weak Areas
Keep track of their performance and focus extra time on any topics or question types they find more difficult.
Encourage Daily Reading
A regular reading habit helps expand vocabulary, improve comprehension and boost analytical thinking – all vital for the 11 Plus.
Make Use of Online Resources
Digital learning tools can provide personalised practice and clear feedback to make study time more effective and engaging.
Best Chance of Success
Keeping preparation steady, organised and encouraging will help your child feel confident and well-prepared when exam day arrives.
COMING SOON
11 Plus Mock Exams in Your Area
We’re currently working on setting up a network of local test centres to offer in-person 11 Plus mock exams that closely match the format used by St Joseph’s College. These sessions will provide a valuable opportunity for your child to practise under real exam conditions, helping to build confidence and improve performance. Although this service isn’t available just yet, you can register your interest by completing the form below. We’ll get in touch as soon as mock exams become available in your area.
St Joseph's College’s Key Dates and Application Information
Here are the key dates for registering and taking the exams. When the results are received you will also be told how many applicants achieved the pass mark so that you can decide on the likelihood that your child will be accepted based on the entry criteria.
Entrance Test Date
September 2025 (exact date not published)
Common Application Form Deadline
Thursday 31st October 2025
Date passed
Offer Day
Monday 2nd March 2026
100 days to go
How to Apply
St Joseph’s College Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at St Joseph’s College, families need to complete both the school’s registration form and the local authority’s application process.
1
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the St Joseph’s College Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions Policy
2
Entrance Test Entry Form
The registration form is available through the school’s website during the application window. Completing this form allows your child to sit the entrance exam.
Visit School Website
3
Common Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with St Joseph’s College listed as one of your preferences. The CAF deadline is 31st October 2025. Both forms must be completed – failure to submit either will result in an incomplete application.
St Joseph’s College, Stoke on Trent FAQs
You must complete the school’s own application form and register your child for the entrance exam. St Joseph’s College should also be listed as a preference on your local authority’s Common Application Form.
The entrance test includes two papers: one in verbal reasoning and one in non-verbal reasoning. These are designed by the school to assess logical thinking, vocabulary and pattern recognition.
Entry is highly competitive. Only the highest-performing candidates in the school’s entrance exam are offered places, with oversubscription rules applied if more pupils qualify than there are spaces available.
The school does not have a strict catchment area, but priority is given to Catholic children, particularly those from named feeder schools, followed by siblings and other applicants ranked by score.
Schools Nearby
4 schools found within 25 miles of Stoke-on-Trent
St Joseph's College, Stoke on Trent
St Joseph’s College, London Road, Trent Vale, Stoke-on-Trent
Assessment: Individual
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Mixed Boys and Girls
Haberdashers' Adams School
Haberdashers' Adams, High Street, Newport
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Boys Only
Haberdashers' Adams School
Haberdashers' Adams, High Street, Newport
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Boarding
Admissions: Boys Only
Newport Girls’ High School
Newport Girls’ High School, Wellington Road, Newport
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
18.5 Miles Away
View School