Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School
147%
Capacity
1,324
Pupils
3.7x
Demand
About Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School
Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Liverpool community, welcoming boys from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,324 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (147% of 900 places).
Ofsted has rated Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Karen Smyth, it falls under Liverpool local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.66 is well above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is strong at 59.1. Additionally, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Additionally, ranked 317th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 2nd out of 30 in Liverpool.
Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School is a popular choice with families — it received 667 applications for 181 places, making it 3.7x oversubscribed. Of these, 218 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School include Dining Hall, Music Rooms, Swimming Pool, Art Studios, Sixth Form Centre, Science Labs, ICT Suite, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Football, Rugby, Rowing, Gymnastics and 4 more, as well as clubs including DofE, Book Club, Art Club, Choir and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 18.1%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Liverpool, Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School is one of the options available in the North West 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 | Boys |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Honeysgreen Lane, Liverpool, Liverpool, L12 9HZ |
| Headteacher | Karen Smyth |
| Local Authority | Liverpool |
| Number of Pupils | 1,324 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 18.1% |
| School Capacity | 1,324 / 900 (147% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
8 Feb 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (8 Feb 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 26 Jun 2014. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.66)
317th of 3,141
Nationally
33rd of 445
In North West
2nd of 30
In Liverpool
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
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
13Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed181
667
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
218 families put this school as their 1st choice (33% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cardinal Heenan Catholic High 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
Honeysgreen Lane, Liverpool
Liverpool, L12 9HZ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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