Bishop Ullathorne Catholic School

About Bishop Ullathorne Catholic School

Bishop Ullathorne Catholic School is a mixed state secondary in Coventry, and it sits comfortably among the city’s top-performing schools. Ranked third out of 21 secondary schools in the local authority, it falls within the top 25 per cent nationally for Progress 8. Its closest rivals include Eden Girls’ School, Coventry, which tops the local table, and Seva School, both of which outrank it, but Bishop Ullathorne holds its own ahead of Barr’s Hill School, the nearest Outstanding-rated school, which sits about four kilometres away. As a Roman Catholic school with a sixth form, it serves 1,137 pupils aged 11 to 18, with capacity for 1,272. The school is oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, it received 457 applications for 208 places, with 184 first-preference offers made from 191 first-preference applications, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.2. Around a quarter of its pupils (24.6 per cent) are eligible for free school meals, which is slightly above the national average for secondaries.

Academically, the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in February 2024 rated it Good across every category, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and sixth-form provision. Its Progress 8 score of 0.52 is well above average and significantly higher than the Coventry LA average of 0.07, meaning pupils here make stronger progress than their peers in other local schools. Attainment 8 sits at 54, and 80 per cent of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, compared with 54.4 per cent at grade 5 or above. The EBacc average point score is 4.75, with 43.9 per cent of pupils entering the EBacc combination. In the sixth form, the average A-level grade per entry is C+, with a points per entry score of 33.67 and a value-added score of -0.11, which is rated as average. The best three A-levels average out at a C+ grade, and 12.5 per cent of entries achieved AAB or higher.

The school offers a solid range of facilities, including a theatre, astro turf, playing fields, a chapel, and a dedicated sixth form centre. Sports on offer include football, rugby, hockey, rowing, and martial arts, while clubs range from Eco Club and Coding to Model UN, Debate, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. SEND provision is broad, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language communication needs, hearing and visual impairments, and autistic spectrum disorder. This makes it a practical choice for families who want a faith-based secondary with strong academic progress, a well-regarded sixth form, and a wide net of support for different learning needs. It’s a school that clearly appeals to local families, given the level of oversubscription, and suits those who value a structured, Catholic environment alongside above-average outcomes.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Bishop Ullathorne Catholic School

Helpful Guides for Parents