St Charles' Catholic Primary School, Gosforth
Named Sunday Times North East Primary School of the Year 2025 — Gosforth's Catholic primary reopened as an academy in 2021 and is now one of the top-performing state primaries in England.
St Charles' Catholic Primary School on Regent Farm Road is Gosforth's only Catholic school — and one of its most impressive. Named Sunday Times North East Primary School of the Year 2025 and ranked around 20th nationally among state primaries, it has gone from strength to strength since reopening as an academy in 2021.
The Basics
St Charles' Catholic Primary School is at Regent Farm Road, NE3 3HE. Unlike Gosforth's first schools (which cover ages 3-9), St Charles' is a primary school covering ages 3 to 11 (Nursery through Year 6). It has around 240 pupils with a Published Admission Number of 30 per year group.
Headteacher Mrs Louise Nealings has led the school since 2015. The school is part of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, one of the largest Catholic multi-academy trusts in the North East, within the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. The school mission is to "be the best we can be and live life to the full."
Ofsted and Results
The school was confirmed as Good in its September 2023 inspection — its first since reopening as an academy. Inspectors described the curriculum as "ambitious" and "meticulously designed."
The academic results tell a remarkable story. In 2023 KS2 tests, 91% of pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, with 44% achieving the higher standard. Progress scores were well above average across the board — +4.3 in reading, +3.7 in writing, and +4.8 in maths. The phonics check pass rate was 97%.
These results earned the school the Sunday Times Parent Power North East Primary School of the Year 2025 — covered by the Diocese, Schools North East, and national Catholic media.
Catholic Ethos
The school provides education within the framework of Catholic teaching and values. Catholic Social Teaching is embedded through pupil-leadership groups including Laudato Leaders (environmental stewardship), Mini Vinnies (concern for the poor), and Gospel Group (liturgical themes). Children visit the local care home and engage with the wider community.
Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion runs from November to June for Year 4 pupils, delivered through the RE curriculum with family learning workshops. The school has close links with St Charles' Church on Regent Farm Road.
Key Features
Ofsted highlighted the quality of early reading — phonics from Reception Day 1, with books carefully matched to sounds known. Pupils engage with poetry and Shakespeare. Maths teaching develops fluency and confidence with complex problems. Pupils with SEND are identified early and well supported.
Clubs include the Safe Squad (pupil-elected safety leaders) and the Laudato Si Club (environmental projects, working toward the Live Simply award). Sports teams run from Year 3 across 10-15 different sports through the year. Happy Days Club provides on-site before- and after-school childcare and holiday provision.
History
The original St Charles' RC Primary School served the Gosforth Catholic community for decades before closing on 1 October 2020. It reopened on 31 March 2021 as an academy within the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust — bringing new governance and investment while maintaining the school's Catholic identity and community connections.
Admissions
As an academy, the school sets its own admissions policy. When oversubscribed, priority goes to: looked-after children, then Catholic children in the parish of St Charles' Church (south of the Metro line), then other Catholic children, then other Christians, then other faiths, then all others. A baptismal certificate is required as evidence of Catholic faith. Contact the school on 0191 285 2553 or email office@stcharlesprimary.uk.
For a broader overview, see our guide to the [Best Schools in Gosforth](/blog/best-schools-in-gosforth).