The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School
Stevenage, SG1 4AE · Hertfordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
29th of 78 secondary schools in Hertfordshire we can score, 82 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 459 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.6/10 among them, against 8.6/10 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 | 59.8 · 81 | 30% | 2.43 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.72 · 91 | 25% | 2.29 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 55.7 · 86 | 10% | 0.86 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in September 2024. In 2024/25, 64.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 57.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.72 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.5 out of 10 among them, against 8.9 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,620 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,405. 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 school maintain its Good rating while addressing the gap in similar-intake comparisons?
What Ofsted said about The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School
Overview
This ungraded inspection confirms the school remains ‘good’, with evidence suggesting it might achieve ‘outstanding’ if a graded inspection were conducted now. The report highlights a ‘culture of kindness and acceptance’ where pupils are ‘confident, courteous’ and ‘thrive academically’. Leaders and trustees are described as ‘relentless’ in securing high-quality provision and outcomes for all students.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘well planned’ and builds effectively on previous learning, supported by teachers with strong subject knowledge.
- Pupil achievement in national exams is ‘exceptionally high’, with precise identification and support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Reading is a strong focus across the curriculum, with explicit vocabulary teaching and a diverse range of books, ensuring pupils ‘enjoy reading for pleasure’.
- Personal development is ‘exceptional’, fostering character and moral codes through leadership opportunities, clubs, and trips.
- Sixth-form students achieve well, act as role models, and benefit from expert teacher support and high expectations.
Areas to improve
- The trust has ‘yet to publish its specific equality objectives and review schedule’, despite a clear commitment to equality and diversity.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with pupils feeling safe and trusting staff to deal with concerns ‘quickly and effectively’.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 56.8 |
| 2024/25 | 57.9 |
| 2025/26 | 55.7 |
| 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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