St Francis Xavier School - a Joint Catholic and Church of England Voluntary Academy
Richmond, DL10 7DA · North Yorkshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
1st of 41 secondary schools in North Yorkshire we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 520 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.1/10 among them, against 8.8/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 59.8 · 81 | 46% | 3.74 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 1.01 · 98 | 38% | 3.75 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 54.4 · 84 | 15% | 1.29 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Francis Xavier School - a Joint Catholic and Church of England Voluntary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 61.1% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 54.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +1.01 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better 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 7.3 out of 10 among them, against 8.9 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 611 pupils against a stated capacity of 570. 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
What support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How does the admissions process work for new entrants given the current roll?
What Ofsted said about St Francis Xavier School - a Joint Catholic and Church of England Voluntary Academy
Overview
Pupils at St Francis Xavier School benefit considerably from an education that meets the school’s “extremely high expectations.” The report describes a culture designed around gospel values, where pupils are mature, respectful, and achieve exceptionally well across the curriculum. Leaders and staff are highly committed, creating a studious atmosphere where disruption is rare and attendance is very high.
Strengths
- Pupils achieve “exceptionally well” academically, with strong outcomes in national examinations and a “rich curriculum” that includes extensive enrichment opportunities such as overseas educational visits.
- Behaviour is “consistently excellent,” with pupils interacting well with adults and peers, and understanding their role in creating a positive environment for success.
- Staff are “knowledgeable” experts who regularly check pupil understanding to adapt support, ensuring pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) achieve “equally impressive academic outcomes.”
- The school provides “strong careers advice and guidance” and prepares pupils well for their next steps through leadership roles and charitable projects that embody the value of service.
- Governance is effective, with leaders making regular checks and providing “effective support and challenge” to the school.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 56.4 |
| 2024/25 | 54.6 |
| 2025/26 | 54.4 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of DL10 7DA, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT