Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy
Prescot, L35 2XG · Knowsley · secondary school
Check the area around this school
5th of 6 secondary schools in Knowsley we can score. 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 — 1.9/10 against 363 of them, against 0.9/10 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 | 5 | 35% | 0.19 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 31.5 · 18 | 30% | 0.52 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -1.01 · 2 | 25% | 0.06 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 32.6 · 3 | 10% | 0.03 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 11.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 30.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -1.01 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Requires improvement in May 2024.
Getting in
The published school roll is 730 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,050. 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 plan to raise Attainment 8 scores towards the national median of 44.6? What specific actions are being taken to address the 'Requires improvement' rating from the 2024 inspection? How does the curriculum support pupils in achieving the Grade 5 threshold in core subjects?
What Ofsted said about Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy
Overview
The report states that the school is "ambitious for pupils to succeed" and that most pupils are happy and feel safe. However, it notes that the curriculum is "not delivered consistently well," leading to gaps in learning for some pupils. While improvements are being made, the school requires improvement in several key areas, including the quality of education, behaviour, and leadership.
Strengths
- Staff "foster positive relationships with their pupils," and pupils know whom to talk to with worries.
- The school has taken "effective action to address a legacy of weaknesses in the curriculum," with clear subject plans.
- Reading is a priority, with strategies ensuring pupils who struggle are identified swiftly and make "swift and sustained improvement."
- Pupils benefit from a "wide range of extra-curricular activities," including theatre visits and sports competitions.
- Safeguarding arrangements are "effective," and the school has created an "open and positive culture around safeguarding."
Areas to improve
- Teachers must deliver curriculum content "consistently well" so pupils "know and remember important knowledge," addressing current gaps in understanding.
- Staff need to implement behaviour strategies "consistently and effectively" to prevent disruption caused by a small number of pupils.
- The school should develop further analysis of attendance patterns to help disadvantaged and SEND pupils attend school more regularly.
Safeguarding
The report confirms that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 31.5 |
| 2024/25 | 30.2 |
| 2025/26 | 32.6 |
| 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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