St Mary's Catholic High School
Leyland, PR25 1BS · Lancashire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
27th of 82 secondary schools in Lancashire we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 914 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.3/10 among them, against 4.9/10 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 | 46.2 · 53 | 30% | 1.60 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.11 · 42 | 25% | 1.04 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.8 · 54 | 10% | 0.54 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Mary's Catholic High School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, inspected in 2025-07. In 2024/25, 43.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 45.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.11 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally starting from the same point. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.7 out of 10 among them, against 4.6 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh award, participate in horse riding and dance, and engage in theatre and ceramics.
Getting in
The published school roll is 813 pupils against a stated capacity of 830. 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 for higher grades in English and maths?
What Ofsted said about St Mary's Catholic High School
Overview
St Mary’s Catholic High School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at its previous inspection. The school is described as an inclusive, close-knit community where pupils feel safe and proud. Leaders and governors have sustained performance since the last graded inspection, ensuring high expectations for behaviour and achievement.
Strengths
- Pupils enjoy a "close-knit and friendly community" and feel safe, knowing who to speak to if worried.
- The curriculum is "broad and ambitious," with careful consideration given to content that prepares pupils for future education.
- Teachers are "knowledgeable about their subjects" and use effective strategies to help pupils build detailed knowledge in most subjects.
- The school provides extensive enrichment opportunities, including sporting activities, music, art, drama, and trips, which develop pupils' skills and self-confidence.
- Systems to support reading fluency and attendance are effective, with attendance rates improving over the past two years.
Areas to improve
- In a minority of subjects, some teachers do not choose the most suitable strategies to help pupils understand key knowledge, leading to gaps in learning.
- The school should ensure teachers are fully equipped to deliver curriculum content consistently well so that all pupils know and remember important knowledge.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 42.5 |
| 2024/25 | 45.0 |
| 2025/26 | 46.8 |
| 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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