The short version
Below-average GCSE results. 87% capacity. Rated Inadequate by Ofsted (2022).
- GCSE results are below the national average (Attainment 8: 34.8 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Inadequate by Ofsted in 2022
- 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
34.8
9.0 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
25%
16.5pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
17%
A-Level Average
Mean grade across subjects
D+
A-Level Value Added
Progress vs expected
-0.59
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
86%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
74%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
10%
Employment
Directly into work
2%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
7%
Based on 192 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 22 days per year on average — over a month of school.
35% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
6% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 19 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 12 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 78 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Academy converter
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–18
- Intake
- Mixed
- Character
- Roman Catholic
Numbers
- Pupils
- 928
- Capacity
- 87%
- FSM
- 42.2%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Kirklees
- Trust
- THE BISHOP KONSTANT CATHOLIC ACADEMY TRUST
- Head
- Mr Karl Mackey (Acting Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- Yes
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection
14 official reports linked on this page, including 13 earlier reports.
Previous reports
Monitoring visit
June 2024 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
January 2024 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
June 2023 | Monitoring Visit
School inspection: Inadequate
November 2022 | School Inspection
Monitoring visit
March 2022 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
June 2021 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
February 2021 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
October 2020 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Inadequate
May 2019 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
January 2019 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
June 2018 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Inadequate
November 2017 | Full Inspection
Academy conversion letter
October 2014 | Academy Conversion Letter
Location
Oxford Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, WF13 4LL
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmWestborough High School
Secondary · Very close
The Branch Christian School
Independent · 407m away
Flatts Nursery School
Nursery · 415m away
St John�s CE Primary School
Primary · 443m away
Al-Furqaan Preparatory School
Independent · 534m away
Westmoor Primary School
Primary · 712m away
St Joseph's Catholic Primary Academy
Primary · 792m away
Carlton Junior and Infant School
Primary · 822m away
Questions parents ask
Is St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy a selective school?
No. St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy's Ofsted rating?
St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy was rated Inadequate at its most recent inspection in March 2025. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy?
St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy currently has 928 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy take?
St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy caters for pupils aged 11 to 18. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy?
St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy is in Dewsbury, WF13 4LL, in the Kirklees local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy have a sixth form?
Yes, St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy has a sixth form, so pupils can continue to A-levels or equivalent qualifications without changing school.
Premium school profiles
Researching a selective school?
We hold deep admissions intelligence on the UK's top selective schools — exam breakdowns, interview formats, and parent strategy briefs.