Huge congratulations are offered to the pupils, staff, parents and governors of St Filumena’s Catholic Primary School in Stoke-on-Trent.

The school has scooped the accolade of Primary School of the Year in the West Midlands 2025 in this year's Sunday Times Parent Power schools guide.

The full Parent Power schools guide has gone live today (Friday 6 December) and there will be a pull-out supplement in this weekend’s Sunday Times.

Edward Howard, Executive Principle at St Filumena’s, said today’s announcement was a testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone connected to the school.

“We are absolutely thrilled, this is fantastic news for the St Filumena’s family.

“To be named Primary School of the Year in the West Midlands is a huge achievement. 

“Everyone at St Filumena's believes that education involves more than just delivering the National Curriculum.  We equip our pupils with the skills and attitudes they need to become confident, independent and successful learners based on our Catholic values.

“Our motto, "I am loved" serves as a constant reminder to all to achieve their true potential as a unique child of God. 

“The school has high expectations of all pupils regardless of ability, creed or gender.  We instil our pupils with a sense of personal and collective responsibility, and we place a great emphasis on the personal, social, spiritual and health education of our pupils. 
 
“The school works to enable everyone to become a responsible, happy and tolerant citizen in order to prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in our rapidly changing society.”

Mr Howard explained the school’s 'curriculum vehicles' are learning themes that are taught alongside the National Curriculum and often go beyond its scope to equip pupils with essential skills necessary for a future not yet defined. They incorporate teamwork, relationships, cultural appreciation, managing time and resources, as well as global awareness and responsibility.

In October, Ofsted judged St Filumena’s to be outstanding in all areas of work, achieving the highest possible recognition. 

Inspectors stated: “This school provides an exceptional standard of education because of the clear vision and supportive culture that has been developed. In partnership with the trust, leaders are insistent that every pupil will achieve well.”

Earlier this year St Filumena’s received three different letters for academic achievements from the Minister of Schools.

The first letter of congratulations recognised the school as being in the top 1% of primary schools nationally for the end of primary school achievement. 

The second one was for being in the top 200 schools nationally for the Year 4 multiplication check.

The final letter was to congratulate the school for being in the top 1% of primary schools nationally for Year 1 phonics, with 100 percent of pupils in Year 1 at St Filumena’s meeting the expected standard. 

St Filumena’s also holds a Artsmark Silver Award; CAFOD’s LiveSimply Award and Excellence in Music Gold Award.

The school is part of The Painsley Catholic Academy group of schools in north Staffordshire.

Our Mission:
At St. Filumena’s
we share the truth of the Catholic faith
through our love of God,
love of each other
and love of our community.
 
Our Motto:
I am loved
 
Our Aims:
We are active signs of God’s love for His children:
loving and learning,
sharing and serving,
playing and praying,
respecting and responding,
in a community filled with love.

The UK’s highest-achieving primary and secondary schools are revealed in the 32nd edition of The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2025. 

Recognised as the definitive ranking of the UK’s top primary and secondary state and independent schools, this guide remains an essential resource for parents seeking the very best in education for their children. 

The guide includes a fully searchable national database of over 2,000 schools by name, local authority, town and postcode. As well as an assessment of all academic results on a school-by-school basis, Parent Power enables parents to compare the performance of a given school with other schools in the same town, local authority or nationally.