The short version
Above-average GCSE results. At capacity. Rated Good by Ofsted (2024).
- GCSE results are above the national average (Attainment 8: 50.8 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Good by Ofsted in 2024
- 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
50.8
7.0 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
46%
3.9pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
59%
A-Level Average
Mean grade across subjects
C-
A-Level Value Added
Progress vs expected
-0.25
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
96%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
91%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
2%
Employment
Directly into work
2%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
3%
Based on 208 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 15 days per year on average — nearly a month of school.
21% 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, 18 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 12 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 104 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
- 1,220
- Capacity
- 98%
- FSM
- 13.2%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Head
- Mr Craig Burns (Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- Yes
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection: Good
7 official reports linked on this page, including 6 earlier reports.
Previous reports
Full inspection: Good
February 2019 | Full Inspection
Curriculum and development visit
March 2012 | Curriculum and development visit Curriculum and development visit
Full inspection: Outstanding
July 2011 | Full Inspection
Full inspection: Good
October 2007 | Full Inspection
Curriculum and development visit
March 2007 | Curriculum and development visit Curriculum and development visit
Full inspection
March 2004 | Full Inspection
Location
Greenbank Lane, Hartford, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 1JW
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmSt Wilfrid's Catholic Primary School
Primary · Very close
Greenbank School
Special school · Very close
Cloughwood School
Special school · 328m away
Cloughwood Academy
Academy · 328m away
Hartford Manor Primary School & Nursery
Primary · 528m away
Hartford Church of England High School
Secondary · 722m away
Charles Darwin Community Primary School
Primary · 855m away
Sir John Deane's Sixth Form College
16 plus · 915m away
Questions parents ask
Is St Nicholas Catholic High School a selective school?
No. St Nicholas Catholic High School is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is St Nicholas Catholic High School's Ofsted rating?
St Nicholas Catholic High School was rated Good at its most recent inspection in March 2024. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend St Nicholas Catholic High School?
St Nicholas Catholic High School currently has 1,220 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does St Nicholas Catholic High School take?
St Nicholas Catholic High School caters for pupils aged 11 to 18. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is St Nicholas Catholic High School?
St Nicholas Catholic High School is in Northwich, CW8 1JW, in the Cheshire West and Chester local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does St Nicholas Catholic High School have a sixth form?
Yes, St Nicholas Catholic High School has a sixth form, so pupils can continue to A-levels or equivalent qualifications without changing school.
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