Ofsted: Outstanding trending_up High Demand emoji_events #1 in Peterborough public Top 3% UK

The King's (The Cathedral) School

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

personMr John Harrison

corporate_fareTHE KING'S (THE CATHEDRAL) SCHOOL, PETERBOROUGH

location_onPeterborough, PE1 2UE

language Visit Website phone 1733751541

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

1,242

trending_up

Attainment 8

63.2

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#1 in Peterborough

#186 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The King's (The Cathedral) School is a Academy converter secondary school in Peterborough, serving ages 7-18. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade. Highly competitive: 1.9× more applications than places — plan well ahead.

article

School Summary

The King's (The Cathedral) School is an academy converter in Peterborough, admitting pupils aged 7-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of THE KING'S (THE CATHEDRAL) SCHOOL, PETERBOROUGH. The school has approximately 1,261 pupils on roll, of whom 13% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 63.2, placing the school #1 in Peterborough and #186 of 3,216 nationally. 75.50% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 45.8% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

In 2025, 80% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths combined, with 13% achieving the higher standard. The school ranks #20 of 13 primaries in Peterborough and #4,996 of 3,216 nationally.

The sixth form offers 24 A-level subjects. 69.9% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 38.7% at A*–A. A-level value added: 0.02 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

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

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.9× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 19.6:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 1.5 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

63.2

Grade 5+ E&M

75.50%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)45.8%

Entering EBacc40.80%

EBacc APS5.67

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.73

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

61.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc23.90%

EBacc APS5.36

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.64

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

64.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc28%

EBacc APS5.56

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.83

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

67.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc37%

EBacc APS5.97

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc48%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.67

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc71%

EBacc APS5.8

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.7

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

65.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc63%

EBacc APS6

explore

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

99%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)97%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

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

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

99%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)98%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)97%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

99%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)99%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

workspace_premium

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

+0.02

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

199

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*10.5%

Achieving A*–A38.7%

Achieving A*–B69.9%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate98.5%

A-level subjects offered24

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.05

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

184

Retention rate97.30%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

192

Retention rate97.40%

2022

Avg Grade

B+

Students

187

Retention rate97.9%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

school

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

2025

R/W/M Expected Standard

80%

LA 59%

Reading100% LA 69%

Writing80% LA 68%

Maths93% LA 69%

Read SS

110

Maths SS

106

GPS SS

110

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2024

R/W/M Expected Standard

87%

LA 55%England 61%

Reading93% LA 67% · Eng 74%

Writing87% LA 65% · Eng 72%

Maths100% LA 67% · Eng 73%

Read SS

110

Maths SS

109

GPS SS

112

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2023

R/W/M Expected Standard

76%

LA 53%England 60%

Reading88% LA 65% · Eng 73%

Writing88% LA 64% · Eng 71%

Maths76% LA 66% · Eng 73%

Read SS

110

Maths SS

107

GPS SS

109

Progress (0 = national avg)

1.1

Read

LA -0.6

-2.0 to 4.3

-0.7

Write

LA -0.8

-3.7 to 2.4

-0.9

Maths

LA -0.3

-3.9 to 2.1

2019

R/W/M Expected Standard

93%

LA 55%England 65%

Reading93% LA 62% · Eng 73%

Writing93% LA 69% · Eng 78%

Maths93% LA 70% · Eng 79%

Read SS

108

Maths SS

106

GPS SS

109

Progress (0 = national avg)

2.6

Read

LA -1.2

-0.8 to 5.9

2.5

Write

LA -1.2

-0.6 to 5.6

-0.9

Maths

LA -0.9

-3.8 to 2.1

2018

R/W/M Expected Standard

93%

LA 55%

Reading93% LA 67%

Writing93% LA 69%

Maths93% LA 68%

Read SS

108

Maths SS

105

GPS SS

110

Progress (0 = national avg)

1.9

Read

LA -1.0

-1.1 to 4.9

Write

LA -1.1

0.1 to 5.9

-1

Maths

LA -0.8

-3.7 to 1.7

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

02 July 2024

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

20 March 2013

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

14 February 2012

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

07 January 2011

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2024-07-02

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

2013-03-20

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2007-11-22

None EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

0.9%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

0.9%(11 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 1,261 pupils. During this period, there were 11 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 0.9%, 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)	1,261	11	0.9%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,265	26	2.1%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,250	17	1.4%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,251	24	1.9%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,253	17	1.4%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,243	14	1.1%	6.6%	3
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,242	18	1.4%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,244	26	2.1%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,217	16	1.3%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,217	18	1.5%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,220	9	0.7%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,227	14	1.1%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,227	1	0.1%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,230	8	0.7%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,221	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,221	18	1.5%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,226	9	0.7%	4.2%	1
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,173	12	1.0%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,177	16	1.4%	3.8%	3
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,177	4	0.3%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,194	13	1.1%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,197	4	0.3%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,198	5	0.4%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,193	9	0.8%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,195	4	0.3%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,197	5	0.4%	3.1%	1

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

accessibility_new

psychology_alt

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 29 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 24 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 14 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 13 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 9 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 5 pupils

Hearing Impairment 3 pupils

Physical Disability 2 pupils

Visual Impairment 1 pupils

health_and_safety

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.

96.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

95.0%Positive

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

15.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree68%

agree24%

disagree4%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree41%

agree41%

disagree14%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree35%

agree21%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

don't know1%

not applicable34%

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

yes17%

no83%

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

strongly agree64%

agree25%

disagree9%

dont know2%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree77%

agree18%

disagree3%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree72%

agree22%

disagree5%

strongly disagree1%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree64%

agree32%

disagree3%

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

strongly agree62%

agree33%

disagree3%

strongly disagree1%

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

strongly agree72%

agree25%

disagree2%

strongly disagree1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree64%

agree29%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

don't know2%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes94%

no6%

Top Secondary Schools in Peterborough

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Hampton Gardens Secondary School

Good

location_on Peterborough, PE7 8HR

emoji_events #2 in LA

Stanground Academy

Good

location_on Peterborough, PE7 3BY

emoji_events #3 in LA

Ormiston Bushfield Academy

Good

location_on Peterborough, PE2 5RQ

emoji_events #4 in LA

Arthur Mellows Village College

Outstanding

location_on Peterborough, PE6 7JX

emoji_events #5 in LA

Nene Park Academy

Good

location_on Peterborough, PE2 7EA

emoji_events #6 in LA

Hampton College

Good

location_on Peterborough, PE7 8BF

emoji_events #7 in LA

View all schools in Peterborough arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Faith Priority (Church of England)

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 Peterborough

Hampton Gardens Secondary School

Stanground Academy

Ormiston Bushfield Academy

Arthur Mellows Village College

Nene Park Academy

Hampton College