St Paul's Catholic College
Burgess Hill, RH15 8GA · West Sussex · secondary school
Check the area around this school
2nd of 38 secondary schools in West Sussex we can score, 40 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 the 368 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.0/10 among them, against 8.7/10 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 | 94 | 35% | 3.29 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 68.1 · 89 | 30% | 2.67 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.53 · 85 | 25% | 2.12 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 57.8 · 90 | 10% | 0.90 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Paul's Catholic College overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 63.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 55.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.53 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in April 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.2 out of 10 among them, against 8.6 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils attend the Shine 2025 Conference, visit Glyndebourne for opera, and travel to Brighton, Brick Lane, and Camber Sands for geography and cultural trips.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,160 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 support pupils to maintain the progress seen in the 2023/24 data? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their attainment relative to the national median?
What Ofsted said about St Paul's Catholic College
Overview
The report describes St Paul’s Catholic College as an “inclusive and exceptional school” where pupils are “highly motivated and ambitious.” Leaders have crafted a “very well-sequenced and coherent curriculum” that ensures all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, progress exceptionally well.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “expertly crafted” and securely in place, with teachers using “routine and precise” assessment to quickly identify and close knowledge gaps.
- Pupils are “truly ‘known and loved’” and benefit from “excellent” support that is closely targeted to individual needs.
- Behaviour is “exceptionally well,” with bullying being “extremely rare” and pupils showing “respect and genuine kindness” to one another.
- Sixth-form students receive “one-to-one mentoring” and are well prepared for higher education or employment through “very well-designed programmes of study.”
- The ‘LovEd’ programme helps pupils become “positive members of society” by exploring diversity, equality, and moral concepts.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff taking “swift action to report any concerns” and leaders demonstrating “tenacity” to ensure pupils receive the right support.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 56.8 |
| 2024/25 | 55.5 |
| 2025/26 | 57.8 |
| 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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