Bishop Challoner Catholic School
115%
Capacity
1,034
Pupils
2.3x
Demand
About Bishop Challoner Catholic School
Bishop Challoner Catholic School in Tower Hamlets is a mixed secondary that is significantly oversubscribed, a clear signal of its local demand. With 1,034 pupils on roll against a capacity of 900, the school is running well above its official limit. For the 2025/26 intake, there were 377 applications for 167 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.26, and 245 families put it as their first preference. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 9.9%, which is notably lower than the national average for secondary schools, suggesting a relatively less disadvantaged intake compared with many London state schools. The school’s Roman Catholic character shapes its identity, and it serves the 11-18 age range under headteacher Adam Hall. Its popularity is reflected in the fact that 164 first-preference offers were made, leaving many applicants disappointed.
Academically, Bishop Challoner performs very strongly. Its Progress 8 score of 0.78 is well above average nationally and far exceeds the Tower Hamlets local authority average of 0.09. This places the school 2nd out of 17 secondary schools in the borough and in the top 7% nationally. The Attainment 8 score is 58.1, and 84.1% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, with 67.6% reaching grade 5 or above. The EBacc average point score is 5.53, and 68.2% of pupils entered the EBacc combination of subjects. In its most recent graded inspection in 2018, Ofsted rated the school Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good. An ungraded inspection in 2023 confirmed the school remains Good and is improving. The sixth form provision was not separately graded in that inspection.
The school offers a broad range of facilities including a swimming pool, astro turf, tennis courts, a sports hall, and a chapel. Sports on offer include rowing, hockey, and cross country, while clubs range from Model UN and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to chess and book club. The school has a dedicated Sixth Form Centre, though it is not officially designated as a sixth form provider in the data. SEND provision covers a wide spectrum, including support for autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and physical disabilities. For families prioritising strong academic progress within a faith-based setting, this school is a standout choice in Tower Hamlets, though securing a place is highly competitive given the oversubscription. The nearest outstanding-rated school is Mulberry School for Girls, 0.6 km away.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | 352 Commercial Road, London, Tower Hamlets, E1 0LB |
| Headteacher | Adam Hall |
| Local Authority | Tower Hamlets |
| Number of Pupils | 1,034 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 9.9% |
| School Capacity | 1,034 / 900 (115% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
14 Sept 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (14 Sept 2023): School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next
Source: Ofsted, 13 Jun 2018. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.78)
204th of 3,141
Nationally
81st of 487
In London
2nd of 17
In Tower Hamlets
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
12Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
13Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed167
377
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
245 families put this school as their 1st choice (65% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than half of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Lower-disadvantage intake compared to the national average (25%).
Above the national median (10%) — a meaningful share speak English as an additional language.
Ethnic background
- White British37.6%
- White (other)21.8%
- Asian17.7%
- Mixed10.1%
- Black0.9%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than half of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
43
Total schools
39
Oversubscribed
31
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bishop Challoner Catholic School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
352 Commercial Road, London
Tower Hamlets, E1 0LB
352 Commercial Road, London
Tower Hamlets, E1 0LB
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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