Classpot

Cardinal Newman College

Preston, PR1 4HDSecondaryAges 16–99MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Nov 2022
Progress 8
-0.19
Below average
−20+2
Competition
0.8×
Not oversubscribed
119 1st-choice / 151 places
Ranking
#1,989
of 3,141 nationally

About Cardinal Newman College

Cardinal Newman College’s Progress 8 score of -0.19 sits below the Lancashire local authority average of -0.11 for secondary schools, meaning pupils here make less academic progress from Key Stage 2 to GCSE than their peers across the county. That places the college 43rd out of 90 similar schools in Lancashire and 9th out of 11 in Preston itself, putting it in the bottom half locally. The school’s Attainment 8 score of 44.5 is modest, and while 72% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, only 42.2% managed a grade 5 or above — a significant drop that suggests the college serves a cohort where securing higher grades is a challenge. With 29.8% of students eligible for free school meals, well above the national average, the context matters: the school is working with a more disadvantaged intake than many, and its Progress 8 score, though negative, is not dramatically worse than the LA average.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range16 to 99 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterRoman Catholic
AddressLark Hill Road, Avenham, Preston, Preston, PR1 4HD
HeadteacherNick Burnham
Local AuthorityLancashire
Free School Meals (FSM)29.8%
School Capacity825

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

15 Nov 2022
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good

Source: Ofsted, 15 Jan 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

8
Music RoomsPlaying FieldsSwimming PoolSports HallTennis CourtsAstro TurfArt StudiosChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

16

Sports

SwimmingCricketAthleticsMartial ArtsBadmintonTennisDanceGymnasticsRugbyHockey

Clubs & Activities

DramaDuke of EdinburghChoirGardeningCodingOrchestra

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cardinal Newman College

Cardinal Newman College has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.