Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School
Reading, RG30 3EP · Reading · secondary school
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6th of 10 secondary schools in Reading we can score, 11 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 4.6/10 against 926 of them, against 4.9/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 44.6 · 49 | 30% | 1.47 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.02 · 49 | 25% | 1.22 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.3 · 52 | 10% | 0.52 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted (inspected 2023-11). In 2024/25, 39.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 46.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.02 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than peers nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.6 out of 10 among them, against 4.4 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and play basketball. Trips include visits to Hengistbury Head, a Hindu temple, the River Pang, and a PGL residential. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,082 pupils against a stated capacity of 922. 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 improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8?
What Ofsted said about Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School
Overview
Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School continues to be a good school, where pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), flourish within an inclusive and vibrant community. The report highlights strong relationships, high expectations for behaviour, and an ambitious curriculum that supports deep learning and personal development.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from "engaging and skilful teachers" and a "calm and orderly" environment where they listen respectfully and hold high behavioural standards.
- The school has designed an "ambitious curriculum" with detailed subject road maps, ensuring pupils think deeply about their work and achieve strongly overall.
- Personal development is a strength, with spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding "skilfully embedded" in the curriculum and a rich programme of clubs and events.
- The school is "very inclusive," providing excellent academic and pastoral support for disadvantaged pupils and those in the specially resourced provision.
- Staff well-being is prioritised through balanced workloads and continuing professional development, resulting in high staff loyalty and retention.
Areas to improve
- The school must refine the "precise adaptation of the curriculum for pupils with SEND" to ensure support in lessons is consistently effective across all subjects.
- Leaders should enhance and embed best practice for SEND support systematically and ensure systems for oversight are "consistently robust."
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 44.4 |
| 2024/25 | 46.0 |
| 2025/26 | 46.3 |
| 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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