Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #6 in Cheshire West and Chester public Top 12% UK

St Nicholas Catholic High School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Craig Burns

location_onNorthwich, CW8 1JW

language Visit Website phone 1606706000

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

1,208

trending_up

Attainment 8

50.8

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GCSE Rank

#6 in Cheshire West and Chester

#835 of 3,216 nationally

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St Nicholas Catholic High School is a Voluntary aided school secondary school in Northwich, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

St Nicholas Catholic High School is a voluntary aided school in Northwich, Cheshire West and Chester, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. The school has approximately 1,220 pupils on roll, of whom 14% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 50.8, placing the school #6 in Cheshire West and Chester and #835 of 3,216 nationally. 45.70% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 24.2% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 20 A-level subjects. 27.8% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 11.0% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.25 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 1.0× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 16.6:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 4.2 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

50.8

Grade 5+ E&M

45.70%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)24.2%

Entering EBacc59.40%

EBacc APS4.67

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.17

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc64.50%

EBacc APS4.54

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.36

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

53.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc58%

EBacc APS4.79

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.38

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

55.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc58%

EBacc APS5.11

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc58%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.15

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

52.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc80%

EBacc APS4.91

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.15

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

52.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc23%

EBacc APS4.47

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)95%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)95%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.25

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*1.7%

Achieving A*–A11.0%

Achieving A*–B27.8%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate91.9%

A-level subjects offered20

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.09

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate96.80%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

104

Retention rate94.20%

2022

Avg Grade

C+

Students

107

Retention rate96.3%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

05 March 2024

Inspection Report

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26 February 2019

Inspection Report

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06 March 2012

Inspection Report

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06 July 2011

Inspection Report

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02 October 2007

Inspection Report

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12 March 2007

Inspection Report

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22 March 2004

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2024-03-05

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2019-02-26

Exempt School Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2011-07-06

None Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

4.1%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.0%(25 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,220 pupils. During this period, there were 50 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 4.1%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,220	50	4.1%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,230	53	4.3%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,198	77	6.4%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,202	56	4.7%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,192	56	4.7%	8.2%	2
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,203	39	3.2%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,208	25	2.1%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,213	19	1.6%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,247	14	1.1%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,256	22	1.8%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,266	17	1.3%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,248	10	0.8%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,258	6	0.5%	1.0%	1
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,266	22	1.7%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,245	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,245	15	1.2%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,253	18	1.4%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,244	21	1.7%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,246	14	1.1%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,251	24	1.9%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,206	22	1.8%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,201	8	0.7%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,203	19	1.6%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,233	38	3.1%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,235	31	2.5%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,240	36	2.9%	3.1%	1

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 39 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 26 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 20 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 17 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 16 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 6 pupils

Severe Learning Difficulty 5 pupils

Visual Impairment 5 pupils

Physical Disability 3 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

87.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

90.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

19.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree42%

agree48%

disagree7%

strongly disagree3%

don't know1%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree31%

agree47%

disagree12%

strongly disagree6%

don't know5%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree39%

agree19%

disagree11%

strongly disagree8%

don't know1%

not applicable23%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes32%

no68%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree23%

agree33%

disagree14%

strongly disagree28%

dont know2%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree60%

agree29%

disagree5%

strongly disagree4%

don't know3%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree51%

agree34%

disagree7%

strongly disagree7%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree49%

agree38%

disagree9%

strongly disagree4%

don't know2%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree47%

agree44%

disagree5%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree55%

agree38%

disagree3%

strongly disagree4%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree43%

agree35%

disagree12%

strongly disagree7%

don't know5%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes89%

no12%

Top Secondary Schools in Cheshire West and Chester

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Christleton High School

Good

location_on Chester, CH3 7AD

emoji_events #1 in LA

Bishop Heber High School

Good

location_on Malpas, SY14 8JD

emoji_events #2 in LA

Tarporley High School and Sixth Form College

Good

location_on Tarporley, CW6 0BL

emoji_events #3 in LA

The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School

Good

location_on Chester, CH3 5XF

emoji_events #4 in LA

The County High School, Leftwich

Outstanding

location_on Northwich, CW9 8EZ

emoji_events #5 in LA

Hartford Church of England High School

Good

location_on Northwich, CW8 1LH

emoji_events #7 in LA

View all schools in Cheshire West and Chester arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Faith Priority (Roman Catholic)

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Cheshire West and Chester

Christleton High School

Bishop Heber High School

Tarporley High School and Sixth Form College

The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School

The County High School, Leftwich

Hartford Church of England High School