The short version
Average GCSE results. 83% capacity. Rated Good by Ofsted (2014).
- GCSE results are broadly in line with the national average (Attainment 8: 41.2 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Good by Ofsted in 2014
- This is a Roman Catholic school, so faith criteria may apply to admissions
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
41.2
2.6 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
33%
8.9pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
20%
A-Level Average
Mean grade across subjects
C
A-Level Value Added
Progress vs expected
-0.45
Band 4Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Post-GCSE Destinations
These figures track pupils 6 months after leaving. Source: DfE destination measures.
Sustained destination
In education, employment or training
92%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
75%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
13%
Employment
Directly into work
4%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
5%
Based on 184 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 15 days per year on average — nearly a month of school.
22% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
3% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 16 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 11 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 92 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Voluntary aided school
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–18
- Intake
- Mixed
- Character
- Roman Catholic
Numbers
- Pupils
- 992
- Capacity
- 83%
- FSM
- 30.1%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Cumberland
- Head
- Mrs Emma Jackson (Executive Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- Yes
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection
12 official reports linked on this page, including 11 earlier reports.
Previous reports
School inspection
December 2019 | School Inspection
Full inspection: Good
September 2014 | Full Inspection
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
March 2013 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
November 2012 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
July 2012 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Inadequate
February 2012 | Full Inspection
Curriculum and development visit
March 2011 | Curriculum and development visit Curriculum and development visit
Full inspection: Satisfactory
June 2009 | Full Inspection
Curriculum and development visit
November 2007 | Curriculum and development visit Curriculum and development visit
Full inspection: Good
January 2006 | Full Inspection
Full inspection
October 2000 | Full Inspection
Location
Red Lonning, Hensingham, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 8UG
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmJericho Primary School
Primary · 474m away
The Whitehaven Academy
Secondary · 551m away
Hensingham Primary School
Primary · 782m away
St Gregory and St Patrick's Catholic Infant School
Primary · 1.3km away
St Begh's Catholic Junior School
Primary · 1.4km away
St James' CofE Junior School
Primary · 1.7km away
St James' CofE Infant and Nursery School
Primary · 1.7km away
Monkwray Junior School
Primary · 1.9km away
Questions parents ask
Is St Benedict's Catholic High School a selective school?
No. St Benedict's Catholic High School is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is St Benedict's Catholic High School's Ofsted rating?
St Benedict's Catholic High School was rated Good at its most recent inspection in June 2025. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend St Benedict's Catholic High School?
St Benedict's Catholic High School currently has 992 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does St Benedict's Catholic High School take?
St Benedict's Catholic High School caters for pupils aged 11 to 18. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is St Benedict's Catholic High School?
St Benedict's Catholic High School is in Whitehaven, CA28 8UG, in the Cumberland local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does St Benedict's Catholic High School have a sixth form?
Yes, St Benedict's Catholic High School has a sixth form, so pupils can continue to A-levels or equivalent qualifications without changing school.
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