Our Lady's Catholic High School
79%
Capacity
902
Pupils
2.9x
Demand
About Our Lady's Catholic High School
Our Lady's Catholic High School is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Preston community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 902 pupils on roll, operating at 79% capacity.
Ofsted has rated Our Lady's Catholic High School "Requires Improvement", the school is led by headteacher Richard Charnock, it falls under Lancashire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.51 is well below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 37.7. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C. Additionally, ranked 2614th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 11th out of 11 in Preston.
Our Lady's Catholic High School is a popular choice with families — it received 548 applications for 188 places, making it 2.9x oversubscribed. Of these, 149 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 10 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty and 7 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Our Lady's Catholic High School include Music Rooms, Science Labs, Library, Astro Turf, Theatre, Sports Hall, Dining Hall, ICT Suite, Playing Fields, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rowing, Football, Martial Arts, Hockey and 4 more, as well as clubs including Art Club, Drama, Model UN, Choir and 4 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 39.8%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Preston, Our Lady's 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 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | St Anthony's Drive, Preston, Preston, PR2 3SQ |
| Headteacher | Richard Charnock |
| Local Authority | Lancashire |
| Number of Pupils | 902 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 39.8% |
| School Capacity | 902 / 1,148 (79% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
26 Mar 2024Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 19 May 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.51)
2614th of 3,141
Nationally
337th of 445
In North West
11th of 11
In Preston
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less 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
34.4
'22/23
30.0
'23/24
28.4
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
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed188
548
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
149 families put this school as their 1st choice (27% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Lady's 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
St Anthony's Drive, Preston
Preston, PR2 3SQ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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