St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy
Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 6LZ · Stoke-on-Trent · secondary school
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8th of 14 secondary schools in Stoke-on-Trent we can score, 15 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 — 4.3/10 against 587 of them, against 2.9/10 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 | 16 | 35% | 0.55 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 39.7 · 36 | 30% | 1.10 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.44 · 19 | 25% | 0.47 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.3 · 30 | 10% | 0.30 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 40.3% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.44 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than nationally matched peers. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in January 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Academy Council and attend a breakfast club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,143 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,200. 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? How does the Academy Council involve students in decision-making?
What Ofsted said about St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy
Overview
The inspection describes St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy as a welcoming school where pupils feel safe and valued within a "strong culture of care." Leaders have established a "warm-strict" culture that fosters respectful relationships and high expectations, resulting in improved attendance and behaviour. The report highlights that pupils generally achieve well from their starting points and are prepared effectively for their next steps.
Strengths
- Leaders embed an effective "warm-strict" culture where "respectful relationships help pupils feel valued" and bullying is rare.
- Attendance sits above national figures, driven by "robust, sustained action" and clear systems for monitoring absence.
- Teachers demonstrate "secure subject expertise" and deliver a broad, balanced curriculum with high aspirations for pupils.
- The school champions an "inclusive ethos," with effective transition arrangements and targeted support for pupils with additional needs.
- Personal development is thoughtfully delivered through the "Touching Hearts" programme, helping pupils manage their wellbeing and prepare for life beyond school.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must consistently identify and meet the precise needs of all pupils so that "misconceptions are addressed swiftly."
- Assessment must be used consistently and effectively across all subjects to ensure "gaps in pupils knowledge are identified accurately."
- Recent actions to strengthen achievement in the sixth form must be fully embedded to lead to "consistently positive results for all post-16 students."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing "an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 41.2 |
| 2024/25 | 43.0 |
| 2025/26 | 42.3 |
| 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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