Ofsted: Outstanding trending_up Popular emoji_events #1 in Derbyshire public Top 4% UK

St Mary's Catholic High School, A Catholic Voluntary Academy

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

personMrs Maria Dengate

corporate_fareST MARY'S CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMY TRUST

location_onChesterfield, S41 8AG

language Visit Website phone 1246201191

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

1,353

trending_up

Attainment 8

59.4

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GCSE Rank

#1 in Derbyshire

#262 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

St Mary's Catholic High School, A Catholic Voluntary Academy is a Academy converter secondary school in Chesterfield, serving ages 11-18. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade. Demand is above capacity (1.2×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

St Mary's Catholic High School, A Catholic Voluntary Academy is an academy converter in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of ST MARY'S CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMY TRUST. The school has approximately 1,358 pupils on roll, of whom 17% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 59.4, placing the school #1 in Derbyshire and #262 of 3,216 nationally. 73.30% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 38.3% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 26 A-level subjects. 63.8% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 34.9% at A*–A. A-level value added: 0.07 — 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 1.2× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.6:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 0.5 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

59.4

Grade 5+ E&M

73.30%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)38.3%

Entering EBacc52.40%

EBacc APS5.39

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.5

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

56.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc40.20%

EBacc APS5.03

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.36

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

57.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc50%

EBacc APS5.24

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.27

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

60.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc47%

EBacc APS5.5

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc47%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.31

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

54.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc33%

EBacc APS4.74

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.27

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

56.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc36%

EBacc APS4.93

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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

97%

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

Apprenticeships4%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

99%

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

Apprenticeships3%

EmploymentSP%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

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

Apprenticeships3%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

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

Apprenticeships2%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships7%

Employment4%

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

+0.07

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

153

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*11.5%

Achieving A*–A34.9%

Achieving A*–B63.8%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate97.4%

A-level subjects offered26

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.17

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

149

Retention rate89.30%

2023

Avg Grade

B-

Students

154

Retention rate98.10%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

154

Retention rate97.4%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

26 June 2024

Inspection Report

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02 October 2012

Inspection Report

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10 August 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2024-06-26

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

2012-10-02

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2007-11-07

None EIF

Good

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

0.5%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

0.4%(6 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 1,358 pupils. During this period, there were 7 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 0.5%, 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)	1,358	7	0.5%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,362	7	0.5%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,347	4	0.3%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,347	0	0.0%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,353	6	0.4%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,346	19	1.4%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,353	15	1.1%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,357	10	0.7%	5.9%	2
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,383	12	0.9%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,388	10	0.7%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,386	9	0.6%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,342	8	0.6%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,340	7	0.5%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,344	10	0.7%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,300	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,300	9	0.7%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,304	5	0.4%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,293	7	0.5%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,286	11	0.9%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,297	3	0.2%	3.8%	2
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,290	3	0.2%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,299	6	0.5%	3.0%	1
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,299	18	1.4%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,266	16	1.3%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,271	16	1.3%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,276	20	1.6%	3.1%	0

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 72 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 40 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 30 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 18 pupils

Physical Disability 14 pupils

Hearing Impairment 8 pupils

Visual Impairment 7 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 4 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 4 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.

89.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

92.0%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 agree66%

agree27%

disagree4%

strongly disagree2%

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

strongly agree35%

agree45%

disagree14%

strongly disagree4%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree41%

agree19%

disagree7%

strongly disagree5%

don't know2%

not applicable26%

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

yes21%

no79%

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

strongly agree38%

agree21%

disagree24%

strongly disagree10%

dont know7%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree76%

agree18%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree63%

agree27%

disagree6%

strongly disagree1%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree50%

agree36%

disagree11%

strongly disagree3%

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

strongly agree59%

agree34%

disagree5%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree64%

agree30%

disagree3%

strongly disagree1%

don't know2%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree54%

agree30%

disagree8%

strongly disagree4%

don't know4%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes88%

no12%

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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 Derbyshire

The Ecclesbourne School

John Flamsteed Community School

Lady Manners School

John Port Spencer Academy

Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School

Heanor Gate Spencer Academy