Bishop Challoner Catholic Secondary School
Basingstoke, RG22 6SR · Hampshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
4th of 69 secondary schools in Hampshire we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 508 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.1/10 among them, against 8.9/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 62.6 · 84 | 30% | 2.53 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.78 · 93 | 25% | 2.33 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 58.1 · 90 | 10% | 0.90 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bishop Challoner Catholic Secondary School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, inspected in 2023-11. In 2024/25, 68.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 59.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.78 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 8.0 out of 10 among them, against 9.2 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join KS3 and KS4 art clubs. Sports options include football, rugby, basketball, table tennis, athletics, cross country, badminton, and trampolining.
Getting in
The published school roll is 894 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How are the 6 remaining places allocated for the next academic year?
What Ofsted said about Bishop Challoner Catholic Secondary School
Overview
This ungraded inspection confirms the school remains ‘good’, with evidence suggesting it might achieve ‘outstanding’ if a graded inspection were conducted now. The report describes an inclusive environment where pupils enjoy ‘very high standards and expectations’ and benefit from ‘exceptional’ relationships with staff.
Strengths
- The ‘aspirational curriculum’ is carefully designed to inspire success, offering a wide range of academic and vocational subjects that meet the interests of all pupils.
- Staff ‘plan thoroughly and teach enthusiastically’, using relevant examples to help pupils ‘know and remember more’ while skilfully adapting activities to secure learning.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and disadvantaged pupils are ‘very well supported’, including through pre-teaching of key vocabulary.
- ‘Life lessons’ and a ‘very comprehensive programme of careers information’ ensure pupils are well prepared for adult life and make informed future decisions.
- Leaders are ‘ambitious for the school community’ and maintain the confidence of parents, who describe the school as ‘fantastic’ with ‘supportive and caring staff’.
Areas to improve
- The report notes that ‘a small number of pupils who do not attend regularly enough do not do as well as they could’, implying a need to address attendance impacts on achievement.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 58.1 |
| 2024/25 | 59.3 |
| 2025/26 | 58.1 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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