St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy
St Helens, WA9 3HE · St. Helens · secondary school
Check the area around this school
8th of 9 secondary schools in St. Helens we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.83 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2024/25 | 24.5 · 7 | 30% | 0.22 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -1.11 · 2 | 25% | 0.04 |
| Attainment 8 2024/25 | 34.5 · 5 | 10% | 0.05 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in September 2022. In 2024/25, 24.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 34.5, compared to the national median of 44.6 for the same year. Progress 8 was -1.11 in 2023/24, indicating pupils made less progress than the national average for those starting from similar points.
Getting in
Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who are falling behind in English and maths to close the gap with national attainment? What specific steps are being taken to improve progress scores following the 2023/24 results? How does the school ensure students have access to extracurricular opportunities beyond the core curriculum?
What Ofsted said about St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy
Overview
St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School continues to be a good school, providing a "coherent and well-ordered curriculum" that is "ambitious" and broad. Pupils feel "happy, safe and well cared for," benefiting from a "purposeful learning environment" where staff maintain high expectations for behaviour and academic success.
Strengths
- Leaders have ensured the curriculum is "broad and balanced from Year 7 to Year 11," successfully increasing the proportion of pupils studying English Baccalaureate subjects.
- Reading skills are given "high priority," with most pupils becoming "confident, fluent readers" and those needing extra support receiving effective help to catch up quickly.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified quickly and receive effective help from "well-trained staff," allowing them to follow the same curriculum as other pupils.
- The school provides strong support for mental health and personal development, including the "PD Bitesize" programme and dedicated whole-school days, while bullying is treated "very seriously" and resolved effectively.
- Staff feel supported with "manageable" workloads, and leaders engage well with local charities to tackle racism and prejudice, fostering an environment where pupils "respect difference."
Areas to improve
- In a few subjects, teachers’ assessment strategies do not sufficiently identify misconceptions or gaps in knowledge, limiting pupils’ achievement; leaders should ensure strategies help address these issues more quickly.
- Some pupils have a limited understanding of different communities, religions, and cultures; leaders should ensure the curriculum provides effective opportunities to develop knowledge of Britain’s multicultural society.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders and staff being "knowledgeable about safeguarding" and vigilant in identifying and reporting concerns without delay.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 34.3 |
| 2023/24 | 34.1 |
| 2024/25 | 34.5 |
| England | 44.6 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,611 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 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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