Classpot

Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy

Knowsley, L35 2XGSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Requires Improvement
Apr 2024
Progress 8
-1.01
Well below average
−20+2
Competition
0.7×
Not oversubscribed
96 1st-choice / 141 places
Ranking
#3,026
of 3,141 nationally

About Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy

Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy is a popular choice among local families, with 96 first-preference applications for 141 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, resulting in an oversubscription ratio of 1.46. This suggests that while the school is oversubscribed, a significant number of applicants do secure a place. However, the school's most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024 rated it as Requires Improvement across all categories, including leadership, behaviour, and personal development. This marks an improvement from its previous inspection in 2019, when it was rated Inadequate overall. The school serves a community with high levels of disadvantage, with 48% of pupils eligible for free school meals, well above the national average. Parents considering the school will want to weigh its popularity against the ongoing work needed to raise standards.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterRoman Catholic
AddressCumber Lane, Prescot, Knowsley, L35 2XG
HeadteacherLee Peachey
Local AuthorityKnowsley
Number of Pupils757
Free School Meals (FSM)48.0%
School Capacity757 / 1,050 (72% full)

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
See an example
One-off paymentNo subscriptionStripe checkout

Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

17 Apr 2024
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Requires improvement
Personal Development
Requires improvement
Leadership & Management
Requires improvement

Source: Ofsted, 16 May 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

7
Tennis CourtsArt StudiosSwimming PoolPlaying FieldsMusic RoomsAstro TurfChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

19

Sports

RowingBasketballBadmintonFootballCricketDanceRugbyTennisSwimming

Clubs & Activities

Book ClubDebateChessModel United NationsGardeningCodingDuke of EdinburghFilm ClubChoirScience Club

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

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

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

Was this page helpful?

Frequently Asked Questions About Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy

Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy has been rated "Requires Improvement" by Ofsted. This means the school is not yet good, but inspectors believe it can improve with the right support and changes.