St Alban's Catholic High School
98%
Capacity
996
Pupils
2.5x
Demand
About St Alban's Catholic High School
St Alban's Catholic High School is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Ipswich community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 996 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (98% of 1,020 places).
Ofsted has rated St Alban's Catholic High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Simon Corless, it falls under Suffolk local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.13 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 48.9. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C-. Additionally, ranked 1239th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 3rd out of 6 in Ipswich.
St Alban's Catholic High School is a popular choice with families — it received 431 applications for 172 places, making it 2.5x oversubscribed. Of these, 167 were first-preference applications.
St Alban's Catholic High School parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is very positive, with 87% recommending the school (78 responses).
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 St Alban's Catholic High School include Sports Hall, ICT Suite, Swimming Pool, Theatre, Library, Art Studios, Science Labs, Music Rooms, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Tennis, Football, Martial Arts, Rugby and 4 more, as well as clubs including Orchestra, Chess, Science Club, Model UN and 6 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 20.9%, which is close to the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Ipswich, St Alban's Catholic High School is one of the options available in the East of England 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 | Digby Road, Ipswich, Ipswich, IP4 3NJ |
| Headteacher | Simon Corless |
| Local Authority | Suffolk |
| Number of Pupils | 996 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 20.9% |
| School Capacity | 996 / 1,020 (98% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
24 Apr 2025Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (24 Apr 2025): Standards maintained
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 23 Feb 2020. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.13)
1239th of 3,141
Nationally
134th of 350
In East of England
3rd of 6
In Ipswich
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make similar progress to students nationally with the same starting point
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
35.0
'22/23
25.7
'23/24
26.5
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Ofsted Parent View
78 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
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
18Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed172
431
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
167 families put this school as their 1st choice (39% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Alban'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
Digby Road, Ipswich
Ipswich, IP4 3NJ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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