Ofsted: Expected standard trending_up Places Available emoji_events #16 in Cheshire West and Chester public Top 40% UK

The Catholic High School, Chester

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

person Mrs CATHRYN MCKEAGNEY (Headteacher)

corporate_fareTHE CHESTER CATHOLIC ACADEMIES PARTNERSHIP

location_onChester, CH4 7HS

language Visit Website phone 01244952788

verified

Ofsted

Expected standard

Inspected 2026

groups

Students

816

trending_up

Attainment 8

44.1

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#16 in Cheshire West and Chester

#2,205 of 4,024 nationally

summarize

The Catholic High School, Chester is a Academy converter secondary school in Chester, serving ages 11-18. Assessed at Expected standard by Ofsted on its latest Report Card inspection.

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School Summary

The Catholic High School, Chester is an academy converter in Chester, Cheshire West and Chester, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of THE CHESTER CATHOLIC ACADEMIES PARTNERSHIP. The school has approximately 797 pupils on roll, of whom 21% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2026, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 44.1, placing the school #16 in Cheshire West and Chester and #2,205 of 4,024 nationally. 36.20% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 17.5% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 18 A-level subjects. 28.1% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 9.7% at A*–A. In the 2022/23 leavers cohort, 12.3% progressed to Top-Third Higher Education institutions (ranked #1,171 nationally), out of 52% progressing to higher education overall. A-level value added: -0.34 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2026. The school's current overall rating is Expected standard. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Expected standard, behaviour and attitudes Expected standard, personal development Expected standard, and leadership and management Expected standard.

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

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 14.8:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 2.1 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)

2026

Attainment 8 Score

44.1

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

36.20%

Grade 4+ E&M

61.20%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)17.5%

5+ GCSEs (4+ incl. E&M)56.90%

Triple Science Entry16.40%

EBacc Slot Score12.9 / 30

2025

Attainment 8 Score

46.7

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

44.50%

Grade 4+ E&M

63.90%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)21.7%

Entering EBacc15.10%

EBacc APS4

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.08

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.3

Grade 5+ E&M

34.80%

Entering EBacc11.90%

EBacc APS3.76

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.50

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc6%

EBacc APS3.62

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.26

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc11%

EBacc APS4.08

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.07

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc14%

EBacc APS3.83

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.26

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

42.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc13%

EBacc APS3.59

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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.

2026

Stayed in Education / Employment

83%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)78.5%

Apprenticeships0.7%

Employment3.7%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)10.4%

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

82%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)73%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment8%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)79%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment13%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

82%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)73%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment8%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)12%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

89%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)83%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)8%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)78%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment11%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

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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

-0.34

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*3.1%

Achieving A*–A9.7%

Achieving A*–B28.1%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate93.4%

A-level subjects offered18

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.09

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate90.80%

Post-18 Destinations 89.3% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 52%

handshake Apprenticeships 6.7%

work Employment 26.7%

Not sustained / NEET6.7%

2023

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate88.00%

Post-18 Destinations (2022/23 leavers)90.4% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 60.3%

stars Top-Third Universities 12.3%

handshake Apprenticeships 1.4%

work Employment 23.3%

Not sustained / NEET2.7%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate100.0%

Post-18 Destinations 90.3% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 63.9%

handshake Apprenticeships 4.2%

work Employment 20.8%

Not sustained / NEET8.3%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results & 16-19 Destination Measures

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Ranking History & Trajectory

National & Local Authority position based on DfE performance data · Methodology

Year	Secondary Overall (Nat)	LA Rank	GCSE Attainment	Progress 8 Rank	A-Level VA	Top-Third Uni	Overall Uni (HE)
2026	#2,580 / 4,024	#16	#2,205	#1	—	#1,171	#1,615
2025	#2,203 / 3,948	#15	#1,646	#1	#2,085	#1,171	#1,615
2024	#1,767 / 4,450	#12	#2,093	#1,754	#787	#1,171	#1,615
2023	#2,771 / 4,321	#16	#2,272	#2,603	—	—	#1,020
2022	#2,169 / 4,199	#16	#1,688	#2,140	—	—	#863
2019	#1,598 / 2,711	#10	#1,536	#1,573	—	—	—
2018	#1,933 / 2,537	#11	#1,839	#1,918	—	—	—

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

19 May 2026

Inspection Report

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30 November 2021

Inspection Report

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15 March 2016

Inspection Report

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01 March 2013

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2026-05-19

S5 Inspection REIF Report Card

Report Card

info

Why no single overall grade?

From autumn 2024 / 2025, Ofsted replaced single-word headline grades (Outstanding / Good / RI / Inadequate) with individual area judgements on a Report Card.

Curriculum & Teaching

Expected standard

Achievement

Expected standard

Attendance & Behaviour

Expected standard

Personal Development

Expected standard

Inclusion

Expected standard

Leadership & Governance

Expected standard

Post-16 Provision

Expected standard

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2016-03-15

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

2011-09-21

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Latest Ungraded: School remains Good

2006-09-18

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

2.4%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.0%(16 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 808 pupils. During this period, there were 19 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 2.4%, 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)	808	19	2.4%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	798	15	1.9%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	801	17	2.1%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	806	8	1.0%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	817	10	1.2%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	834	9	1.1%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	816	13	1.6%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	810	16	2.0%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	831	18	2.2%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	835	14	1.7%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	823	5	0.6%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	835	25	3.0%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	843	12	1.4%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	844	41	4.9%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	853	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	853	26	3.0%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	861	56	6.5%	4.2%	1
2018/19 (Summer term)	874	69	7.9%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	876	58	6.6%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	877	39	4.4%	3.8%	1
2017/18 (Summer term)	878	21	2.4%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	874	46	5.3%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	874	68	7.8%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	873	49	5.6%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	861	50	5.8%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	861	43	5.0%	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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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.

Other Difficulty/Disability 71 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 36 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 28 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 3 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 1 pupils

Physical Disability 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.

Overall, how do parents view this school?

92%Positive

My child is happy at this school.

96%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

97%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

When bullying took place, the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.

strongly agree67%

agree17%

strongly disagree17%

not applicable89%

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree64%

agree30%

disagree4%

Neither agree nor disagree2%

When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart.

strongly agree70%

agree21%

Neither agree nor disagree4%

disagree4%

strongly disagree2%

The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well.

strongly agree59%

agree32%

Neither agree nor disagree2%

disagree5%

strongly disagree2%

The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know.

strongly agree59%

agree30%

disagree5%

strongly disagree2%

Neither agree nor disagree4%

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

strongly agree55%

agree16%

disagree4%

strongly disagree2%

not applicable16%

Neither agree nor disagree7%

Does your child have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)?

yes45%

no55%

My child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree60%

agree28%

disagree4%

strongly disagree8%

Would you recommend this school to another parent?

yes93%

no7%

Top Secondary Schools in Cheshire West and Chester

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Tarporley High School and Sixth Form College

Good

location_on Tarporley, CW6 0BL

emoji_events #1 in LA

Christleton High School

Good

location_on Chester, CH3 7AD

emoji_events #2 in LA

Bishop Heber High School

Expected standard

location_on Malpas, SY14 8JD

emoji_events #3 in LA

Upton-by-Chester High School

Good

location_on Chester, CH2 1NN

emoji_events #4 in LA

St Nicholas Catholic High School

Good

location_on Northwich, CW8 1JW

emoji_events #5 in LA

Weaverham High School

Expected standard

location_on Northwich, CW8 3HT

emoji_events #6 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

Ranking History & Trajectory

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

Overall, how do parents view this school?

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

When bullying took place, the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart.

The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well.

The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know.

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 SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

Would you recommend this school to another parent?

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Cheshire West and Chester

Tarporley High School and Sixth Form College

Christleton High School

Bishop Heber High School

Upton-by-Chester High School

St Nicholas Catholic High School

Weaverham High School