Blessed William Howard Catholic School
90%
Capacity
957
Pupils
2.1x
Demand
About Blessed William Howard Catholic School
Blessed William Howard Catholic School is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Stafford community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 957 pupils on roll and is well-filled (90% of 1,065 places).
Ofsted has rated Blessed William Howard Catholic School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Karl Brown, it falls under Staffordshire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.41 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 54.5. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Additionally, ranked 630th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 1st out of 7 in Stafford.
Blessed William Howard Catholic School is a popular choice with families — it received 381 applications for 180 places, making it 2.1x oversubscribed. Of these, 194 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Blessed William Howard Catholic School include Swimming Pool, Library, Astro Turf, Playing Fields, Theatre, Dining Hall, Science Labs, Sixth Form Centre, Music Rooms, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rowing, Rugby, Cross Country, Basketball and 4 more, as well as clubs including Young Enterprise, Book Club, Eco Club, Orchestra and 3 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 21.3%, which is close to the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Stafford, Blessed William Howard Catholic School is one of the options available in the West Midlands region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Rowley Avenue, Stafford, Stafford, ST17 9AB |
| Headteacher | Karl Brown |
| Local Authority | Staffordshire |
| Number of Pupils | 957 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 21.3% |
| School Capacity | 957 / 1,065 (90% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
22 May 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (22 May 2024): School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next
Source: Ofsted, 6 Nov 2012. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.41)
630th of 3,141
Nationally
62nd of 371
In West Midlands
1st of 7
In Stafford
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make 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.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
36.4
'22/23
30.9
'23/24
34.0
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed180
381
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
194 families put this school as their 1st choice (51% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blessed William Howard 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
Rowley Avenue, Stafford
Stafford, ST17 9AB
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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