The short version
Average GCSE results. At capacity. Rated Good by Ofsted (2016).
- GCSE results are broadly in line with the national average (Attainment 8: 45.0 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Good by Ofsted in 2016
- 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
45.0
1.2 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
44%
2.0pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
13%
Source: 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
89%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
73%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
8%
Employment
Directly into work
8%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
8%
Based on 152 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 13 days per year on average — nearly a month of school.
16% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
2% 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 73 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Voluntary aided school
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–16
- Intake
- Mixed
- Character
- Roman Catholic
Numbers
- Pupils
- 817
- Capacity
- 98%
- FSM
- 20.8%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Lancashire
- Head
- Mr Phil Thompson (Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- No
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection
13 official reports linked on this page, including 12 earlier reports.
Previous reports
School inspection
January 2020 | School Inspection
Full inspection: Good
June 2016 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
March 2016 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
December 2015 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
June 2015 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
January 2015 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Inadequate
October 2014 | Full Inspection
Curriculum and development visit
May 2012 | Curriculum and development visit Curriculum and development visit
Full inspection: Good
May 2011 | Full Inspection
Curriculum and development visit
June 2009 | Curriculum and development visit Curriculum and development visit
Full inspection: Good
January 2008 | Full Inspection
Full inspection
January 2005 | Full Inspection
Location
Royal Avenue, Leyland, Lancashire, PR25 1BS
Town setting
Questions parents ask
Is St Mary's Catholic High School a selective school?
No. St Mary's Catholic High School is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is St Mary's Catholic High School's Ofsted rating?
St Mary'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 Mary's Catholic High School?
St Mary's Catholic High School currently has 817 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does St Mary's Catholic High School take?
St Mary's Catholic High School caters for pupils aged 11 to 16. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is St Mary's Catholic High School?
St Mary's Catholic High School is in Leyland, PR25 1BS, in the Lancashire local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does St Mary's Catholic High School have a sixth form?
No, St Mary's Catholic High School does not have a sixth form. Pupils move to a different school or college for post-16 study.
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