The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial RC School
London, W14 8BZ · Kensington and Chelsea · secondary school
Check the area around this school
1st of 6 secondary schools in Kensington and Chelsea we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 9.8/10 against 869 of them, against 9.5/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 87 | 35% | 3.06 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 74.0 · 92 | 30% | 2.78 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 1.0 · 98 | 25% | 2.44 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 61.5 · 93 | 10% | 0.93 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial RC School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 80.2% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 67.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +1.0 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (9.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 9.6 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in April 2026 under the new framework.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join a KS5 art club and an after-school club. They participate in arts competitions, including the Royal Academy of Arts Young Artists Summer Show and Arts Award. Trips visit the National Gallery, Tate Modern, V&A, Wallace Collection, and National Portrait Gallery.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,034 pupils against a stated capacity of 922. 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 specific support is available for pupils aiming for grade 5 or above in English and maths? How do the arts trips integrate with
What Ofsted said about The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial RC School
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils achieve highly across a wide range of subjects, with attainment consistently well above national averages. Leaders have established an exceptional culture of high expectations, resulting in exemplary behaviour, very high attendance, and outstanding personal development for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disadvantaged backgrounds.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate a "firm grasp of the curriculum" and achieve "exceptional" results, with disadvantaged pupils often exceeding national averages for non-disadvantaged peers.
- Attendance and behaviour are rated "Exceptional," with pupils showing "high levels of self-discipline" and thriving in a "caring environment."
- Leadership is "exemplary," fostering professional trust and providing comprehensive development that equips teachers to support pupils with "notable success."
- Personal development is "Exceptional," offering an "exemplary breadth of musical, sporting and cultural opportunities" that remove barriers to opportunity for all pupils.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should strengthen the consistency with which teachers use available information to adapt learning for identified groups of pupils.
- Leaders should ensure that teachers check for understanding systematically across subjects to develop pupils' knowledge and skills consistently.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing "an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 67.4 |
| 2024/25 | 67.2 |
| 2025/26 | 61.5 |
| 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 W14 8BZ, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT