Blessed William Howard Catholic School
Stafford, ST17 9AB · Staffordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
5th of 56 secondary schools in Staffordshire we can score, 70 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 8.7/10 against 910 of them, against 7.9/10 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 | 56.9 · 77 | 30% | 2.30 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.41 · 80 | 25% | 1.99 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 55.1 · 85 | 10% | 0.85 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Blessed William Howard Catholic School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 52.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 52.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.41 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils visit Tate Modern London, The British Museum, The National Gallery, The Birmingham Hippodrome, and Chester Zoo.
Getting in
The published school roll is 950 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,065. 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 maintain the progress seen in the 2023/24 data? What specific support is available for students aiming to exceed the national median in Attainment 8?
What Ofsted said about Blessed William Howard Catholic 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 highlights a school where ‘pupils’ best interests are at the heart of all that the school does’, creating an inclusive environment where students feel ‘cared for and safe’. Leaders have driven a ‘journey of improvement’ to provide an ‘excellent educational experience’.
Strengths
- The curriculum is carefully structured to build on prior knowledge, ensuring pupils ‘exceed expectations’ and ‘make exceptional progress’.
- Staff use effective teaching strategies, including immediate feedback and adapted learning, to close gaps in knowledge.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) ‘thrive at school’ thanks to bespoke support and close collaboration with parents.
- Reading difficulties are quickly identified and addressed by specially trained staff, helping pupils ‘catch up quickly’.
- A strong careers programme and personal development curriculum prepare pupils well for ‘life in modern Britain’ and their next steps.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
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 | 54.5 |
| 2024/25 | 52.0 |
| 2025/26 | 55.1 |
| 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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